The boycotts

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Info and links on the Nestle and Coca-Cola boycotts

This is YOUR student union, which means that YOU have the power to decide what we stock in union-owned outlets. And last year students did just that, calling two separate referendums to decide whether we should stock Nestle and Coca-Cola products in our shops. In the 2005 Autumn semester the decision was taken by a clear majority to continue the ban of Nestle products in Union outlets. Then in April 2006 it was decided by a smaller margin to remove all Coca-Cola products from our shops. Contractual obligations mean that it is not possible to replace Coca-Cola as the mixer used by union bars, but this situation is continually reviewed with a view to changing supplier when this becomes viable.

So why did people call for a boycott on these two brands..?

COCA-COLA

For many years, trade unionists at Coke bottling facilities in Colombia have endured the most egregious human rights violations, including threats, kidnapping, torture and assassination. Coca-Cola and its Latin American partner, Panamco, have been aware of the violence being perpetrated by death squads. Critics allege that in most instances, this violence has been orchestrated or incited by managers at these Coke bottling facilities.

The International Boycott of Coca Cola started on the 22 July 2003. It was called by SINALTRAINAL (Colombian Food and Drinks Workers' Union). It is supported by the World Social Forum, and by the CUT and the CGTD (principle trade union federations in Colombia), and numerous social organisations around the world.

Coca Cola stand accused of complicity in the assassination of 8 Sinaltrainal trade union leaders in Colombia since 1990. Many other leaders have been imprisoned, tortured, forcibly displaced and exiled. Of course, Coca Cola deny any responsibility for the murders, pointing out that 100s of union leaders are killed every year in Colombia. However, many of Sinaltrainal's victims were killed inside Coca Cola plants while negotiating collective agreements. Coca Cola management were reported in the national press as meeting and contracting members of the AUC death squads to "sort out their labour problems".

So why the boycott? Sinaltrainal have exhausted all the legal avenues in Colombia, where their applications to the courts have been manipulated and rejected. However, in the USA, in a court case brought in solidarity with Sinaltrainal by the United Steel Workers Union, a judge has ruled that there is enough evidence for a case to continue against Coca Cola's Colombian subsidiaries. However, the multinational refuses to cooperate with the union, and the violent repression continues. Coca Cola are also suing the union for libel. The boycott and international campaign are powerful but dangerous weapons, the workers in Colombia know that they will bear the brunt of the repression for highlighting these facts.

For more information on the international campaigns against these brands check out the sites on the links page.

If there is an issue which you want to raise, then get in touch with Jenni at su.ethics@uea.ac.uk. To call a referendum you need a petition of 500 signatures of registered students OR you can put a motion to Union Council.