Sneakers Against Sweatshops

Paul Fireman, chairman and chief executive of Reebok International Ltd., on Thursday invited his counterpart at rival Nike to collaborate on a system to guard against poor workplace conditions at industry factories worldwide.

“With Nike’s leadership in size, the combined market share strength of our brands, and Reebok’s own experience in human rights, a collaboration could be awesome,” Fireman said in a Boston speech.

Nike rang up sales of $4.7 billion in fiscal 1995, while Reebok reported sales of $3.4 billion.

Nike spokesman Keith Peters said that company’s chairman and chief executive, Phil Knight, had not had a chance to consider Fireman’s offer. But the issue of fair labor practices, Peters said, “is a priority with us.”