McMaster students say no to renewal of Coca-Cola contract

Company denies links with murderers of trade union leaders in Colombia and environmental damage in India

Hamilton - McMaster University undergraduate students have voted to oppose renewal of a $6-million agreement with Coca-Cola.

By a margin of nearly three to one, the students voted against the giant American soft drink company in a campus referendum.

Opponents of the deal said the university should not support a company that is linked to paramilitary forces in Colombia and environmental destruction in India.

The 10-year contract, signed in 1998, is due to expire in 2008. However, it could be extended for a further two years if Coca-Cola invokes a clause dealing with specified sales volumes.

University defends contract

Ray Rogers, an American activist and head of Corporate Campaign Inc., said during the campaign leading up to the vote that paramilitary groups had murdered and tortured trade union leaders at Coke plants in Colombia. He also said entire villages have been ruined in India because of excessive use of groundwater by the company.

Coca-Cola issued a statement denying the allegations.

The university defended its contract with the company, saying that McMaster would have to look to government grants or higher tuition fees to make up for the loss if the contract is cancelled.

Students had a different view, however. "This sends a very positive message," says Tommy Piribauer, president of the McMaster Students Union.

"I'm happy on two fronts, first, that students did come out en masse and we reached a quorum and second, that the decisions were upheld and not inhibited during the campaign."

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) has been one of Canada's the most outspoken critics of trade union abuses and crimes in Colombia. NUPGE

More information:
• Colombia - the struggle for justice and peace

Web posted by NUPGE: 24 October 2005

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