We Wisconsinites know from experience that the only way for people to hold corporations accountable is to hit ’em where it hurts — in their pocketbooks. This is why activists on campus have been demanding that Ward put Adidas “on notice” of contract termination. The possibility of losing millions of dollars in its deal with UW-Madison is the only way Adidas can be pressured to pay its workers.

This strategy worked in 2010, when the university cut ties with Nike for refusing to pay severance to its workers in Honduras, resulting in Nike paying workers the $2.3 million they were due. Ward, however, has opted for a “mediation” process.

Mediation, which is set to occur June 13-14, is a closed-door process designed to shut out the public and stall justice. Ward’s main argument for mediation is to strengthen the university’s legal position. However, multiple bodies within the university as well as the Workers’ Rights Consortium, a third-party labor monitoring organization, have advised the chancellor that Adidas is clearly in breach of contract and that he should take immediate action to put Adidas on notice.