Australia

Union workers at Coca Cola facilities are under attack. More trade unionists are killed in Colombia than in all other countries combined. Working for a Coca-Cola bottler in Colombia increases that risk!

Workers at Coca Cola bottling facilities in Colombia have been kidnapped, tortured and murdered. Management’s relationships with paramilitary death squads have been used to intimidate and execute union workers.

Coca-Cola’s managers have been accused of allowing, if not encouraging, paramilitary security forces to murder, torture and kidnap trade union leaders and workers in an effort to prevent unions organising in their bottling plants in Colombia. This denies workers their basic right to form unions and threatens the lives of workers
and their families.

It is clear that Coca-Cola controls aspects of its production, including production that occurs in facilities overseas. Regardless of Coca-Cola's legal liability, the company’s moral responsibility is clear. Coca-Cola utilized their power when, in response to international pressure, the company finally halted the killing of trade union leaders at a Coke bottling facility in Guatemala in the 1980’s.

Still Coke continues to ignore reports that brutal violations of human rights are committed every day against workers who produce and distribute their products around the world. In the United States, workers who distribute Coca-Cola products and produce Coca-Cola’s Minute Maid juices endure extreme acts of intimidation, retaliation and harassment.

Coca-Cola should be forced to stop the violence. Workers in the bottling plants are demanding that the company …

1. Exercise control over the bottling, processing and distribution of Coca-Cola products;

2. Remove local managers who are responsible for inciting violence or harassment against trade unionists;

3. End the campaign of terror by Panamco and other Colombian bottlers;

4. Bargain with SINALT RA I N A L, the Union representing Coca-Cola bottling workers in Colombia, about among other things, providing protection and security for Coke workers and trade unionists;

5. Negotiate an enforceable Global Agreement with Coca-Cola unions and representatives that will guarantee the rights and safety of all workers who produce, package, and distribute Coca-Cola products worldwide.

There is now a world-wide campaign for Justice for Coca-Cola workers in Colombia. This campaign has been endorsed by the World Social Forum. The unionists in Colombia see themselves as part of the movement against capitalist globalisation.

July 22 is International Stop Killer Coke Day. It is the beginning of a world-wide boycott of coke products, called by Coca-Cola workers in Colombia.

But this campaign is about more than just not buying Coke products. We have to spread the word about the abuse of trade unionists and that’s what we will be doing here in Australia.

Workers in Australia can’t be complacent. The Howard government is determined to take away the few rights we have to be part of a union. In recent months there has been the massive attacks on the militant building unions and more will follow.

The Liberals have used the budget to put aside $15m to prosecute cases under their industrial legislation.. If an employer initiates a law case against trade unionists they can walk away. The government will use the $15 million to cover the prosecutions legal attack.

The connection with and between workers in other parts of the world, struggling for basic rights is needed now more than ever. The Colombian workers have joined the movement against capitalist globalisation. Australian workers and oppressed people can join them in an international struggle on July 22nd Stop Killer Coke" Day.

Public meeting – Wednesday 16 July, 7pm, Old Council Chambers, Trades Hall, Carlton.

Demonstration – Tuesday 22 July, 5pm, Federation Sq.

Contact – [email protected] or ph. Lucho 0401 558 373 or Carlene 93846960

Colombia Demands Justice Campaign

Motion: Socialist Alliance

Socialist Alliance supports the Colombia Demands Justice campaign and deplores the murders of unionists in Colombia. The Alliance resolve to publicise Australian and international actions for International Stop Killer Coke Day and urges members and supporters to participate.

In particular the Alliance will publicise the Public meeting to be held in Melbourne in the Trades Hall Bar at 7pm on Monday July 14 and the demonstration in Federation Sq. 5pm on July 22.

The Alliance will promote the campaign through it's regular stalls and in its publications and supply what resources it can (posters, leaflets, banners, placards, people!) to build large contingents at both these public events.

Furthermore the Socialist Alliance pledges to be part of the on-going campaign to highlight trade union and human rights in Colombia and abuses by the Coca-Cola company around the world.

Resolution of the Victorian Trades Hall Council Executive

"VTHC Executive Council:

1. supports the international day of action against Coca Cola on July 22 in view of the behaviour of their Columbian bottler and franchisees in organising the intimidation and killing of trade unionists in that country. In doing so we note the support of both the peak union body (CUT) in Columbia and a key union, Sinaltrainal, for the protest day. In particular unions are asked to support the rally in Federation Square at 5pm on that day.

2. urges unions and union members to raise awareness about the actions of Coke and other multinationals in Columbia and to take appropriate action both on and after 22 July.

3. urges unions to write to Coca Cola protesting about their agents and bottlers actions in Columbia and asking them to acknowledge their corporate responsibility for those actions."
I will write to all Victorian unions urging them to support the rally and to take some action on the day.
regards

Leigh Hubbard
Secretary, VTHC