The first test of USAS’ power and the WRC came with the Kukdong-Mexmode factory in Puebla Mexico. The factory was investigated by the WRC and found to be a terrible union-busting sweatshop. Workers that organized to improve their conditions and were fired and blacklisted. Students organized on campus and demanded that their universities suspend contracts with Nike until the brand demanded that the workers be reinstated and that the independent union be recognized. Students organized in solidarity, and under the pressure, Nike buckled. The workers were reinstated, won recognition of their union (the first recognized independent union in Mexico), and bargained for a great contract.

The next test of the USAS model was at a factory baseball cap factory in Derby, New York. Workers that tried to organize for better wages and more on the job safety were met with the threat of a factory closing. The WRC once again investigated and found several codes of conduct violations. Students organized on campuses and demanded contract suspension, and with enough university pressure, the new era cap factory not only stayed in Derby, but the workers got union recognition and a fair contract.

Another important victory for USAS, which launched an entire new national campaign, was the Harvard Living Wage Campaign. Workers on campus were organizing, and students organized in solidarity demanding that all workers at Harvard be paid a living wage. Administration simply refused to move on the issue, so students took over the administrations building for two weeks. Once again the administration broke. Campus workers at Harvard are now being paid a living wage. Students and workers are now organizing all across the country demanding living wages.