The Apparel Industry Coalition (AIC), announcedwith much fanfare at the White House as a partnership betweenbusiness and labor, has been paralyzed by internal wrangling whichmay leave a credibility vacuum in the industry's efforts to developa way to deflect criticism of its labor practices.

The AIC, whose members include Nike, Reebokand other major apparel importers, has been unable to formallyunveil a program because labor representatives insist on the rightof workers to free association, a provision that is legally barredin China where many companies have significant presence. Anotherissue has been the definition of a living or working wage. It'sunclear if the AIC will ... Log in to view full article.