Middlesex University students vote to boycott Coca-Cola
Richard | 15.01.2005 16:55 | Ecology | Education | Social Struggles
Middlesx University students recently voted to join the growing worldwide boycott of Coca-Cola in support of trade unionists in Colombia who allege Coke is complicit in the paramilitary murder of eight of their members, and rural communities in India whose soil and water have been poisoned by the rapacious corporation. (under 500 words).
Middlesex University students vote to boycott Coca-Cola:
Given the concerns that prompted students at Middlesex University to hold a referendum on whether their union’s shops and bars should stop selling Coca-Cola products, it was fitting that the results were announced on December 10th, internationally recognised as Human Rights Day. Their verdict was a clear rejection of Coca-Cola, allowing Middlesex to join the growing union revolt against a company fast losing its cherished ‘youth appeal’.
Student activists had brought the referendum in response to Coca-Cola’s shocking disregard for local communities and workers in their single-minded pursuit of profit. In particular, students were angered by the corporation’s recklessness in India, where their water-intensive production process has allegedly caused droughts in surrounding rural areas. The Indian government had to intervene to stop the Coke plant in Plachimada, Kerala, from continuing production, and the local government has since refused to reissue the license to operate. However, several other Coke plants continue to drain the groundwater in other parts of the country. Coca-Cola have also bizarrely sold their production waste to Indian farmers as ‘soil enricher’, which several independent researchers have demonstrated has left the soil enriched with two toxic heavy metals, lead and cadmium. The corporation refuses to clean up, nor to compensate the devastated communities.
Students were also alarmed by the company’s appalling anti-trade-union activity in Colombia, including allegations that bottling plant managers had been involved in using paramilitaries to murder eight members of Sinaltrainal, the union representing Coke workers. Coke’s irresponsibility in failing to take any measures to protect workers and their families living under death threat also shocked students, as did their strategy of reducing the Colombian workforce to just 10% on permanent contracts, leaving the vast majority with few rights and no economic security.
Many other issues came up in the campaign: should Coke act to improve the supply chain they use in El Salvador, at the bottom of which children labour to harvest sugar cane that eventually ends up in their carbonated drinks? Has the company really changed its policies towards non-white employees in the U.S, where only four years ago they were forced by the courts to pay almost $200 million in a class action lawsuit demonstrating systematic discrimination? There was even time to mull on the history of the company’s intimate relations with the German government from 1933 to 1945.
The students are now planning to bring a motion to the AGM of NUSSL (the NUS purchasing consortium) in April to allow these issues to be more widely debated, with the aim of bringing the national monopoly contract with Coke to an end. A host of universities right across the UK are making plans in the meantime to limit their Coke supplies to the extent possible while they remain tied to the national contract. Meanwhile, the Indian communities and Colombian trade unionists that have called for the boycott continue their relentless struggle for justice, a fight that is made just a little easier with every blow struck in solidarity against the corporation.
If you're a student and want to join the campaign e-mail:
ukstudentsagainstcoke@yahoogroups.com
All other enquiries welcomed at proudhon999@yahoo.com
Given the concerns that prompted students at Middlesex University to hold a referendum on whether their union’s shops and bars should stop selling Coca-Cola products, it was fitting that the results were announced on December 10th, internationally recognised as Human Rights Day. Their verdict was a clear rejection of Coca-Cola, allowing Middlesex to join the growing union revolt against a company fast losing its cherished ‘youth appeal’.
Student activists had brought the referendum in response to Coca-Cola’s shocking disregard for local communities and workers in their single-minded pursuit of profit. In particular, students were angered by the corporation’s recklessness in India, where their water-intensive production process has allegedly caused droughts in surrounding rural areas. The Indian government had to intervene to stop the Coke plant in Plachimada, Kerala, from continuing production, and the local government has since refused to reissue the license to operate. However, several other Coke plants continue to drain the groundwater in other parts of the country. Coca-Cola have also bizarrely sold their production waste to Indian farmers as ‘soil enricher’, which several independent researchers have demonstrated has left the soil enriched with two toxic heavy metals, lead and cadmium. The corporation refuses to clean up, nor to compensate the devastated communities.
Students were also alarmed by the company’s appalling anti-trade-union activity in Colombia, including allegations that bottling plant managers had been involved in using paramilitaries to murder eight members of Sinaltrainal, the union representing Coke workers. Coke’s irresponsibility in failing to take any measures to protect workers and their families living under death threat also shocked students, as did their strategy of reducing the Colombian workforce to just 10% on permanent contracts, leaving the vast majority with few rights and no economic security.
Many other issues came up in the campaign: should Coke act to improve the supply chain they use in El Salvador, at the bottom of which children labour to harvest sugar cane that eventually ends up in their carbonated drinks? Has the company really changed its policies towards non-white employees in the U.S, where only four years ago they were forced by the courts to pay almost $200 million in a class action lawsuit demonstrating systematic discrimination? There was even time to mull on the history of the company’s intimate relations with the German government from 1933 to 1945.
The students are now planning to bring a motion to the AGM of NUSSL (the NUS purchasing consortium) in April to allow these issues to be more widely debated, with the aim of bringing the national monopoly contract with Coke to an end. A host of universities right across the UK are making plans in the meantime to limit their Coke supplies to the extent possible while they remain tied to the national contract. Meanwhile, the Indian communities and Colombian trade unionists that have called for the boycott continue their relentless struggle for justice, a fight that is made just a little easier with every blow struck in solidarity against the corporation.
If you're a student and want to join the campaign e-mail:
ukstudentsagainstcoke@yahoogroups.com All other enquiries welcomed at
proudhon999@yahoo.com
Richard
e-mail:
proudhon999@yahoo.com
Homepage:
http://www.colombiasolidarity.org.uk
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campus activism
15.01.2005 17:25
STOP THE ARMS TRADE BEFORE IT STOPS YOU
International groups are calling for a day of direct action against the arms trade on 21st March 2005 to coincide with the second anniversary of the start of war on Iraq.
middlesex can rest easy - no shares there;)
does your university have shares? check the list:
---
+ Educational Organisations and share holdings in the arms trade
These are the seven leading arms-trade companies based in the UK:
ALVIS, Military sales: $362m*
Perhaps most notorious for its long-standing relationship with the Indonesian military, having supplied it with a number of vehicles including Stormer armoured vehicles and Scorpion light tanks.
BAE SYSTEMS, Military sales: $15bn
BAE Systems sells weapons across the world. It has received an angry reaction to the use of its Hawks in Aceh (in Northern Indonesia), to the sale of head-up displays for US-built F16s destined for Israel, and to the marketing of arms to India in the midst of conflict over Kashmir.
COBHAM, Military sales: $582m
Cobham produces a wide range of military equipment including missile components, weapons carriage and release systems, communication systems, radar and electronic warfare products.
GKN, Military sales: $2.1bn
Through AgustaWestland, GKN has produced and delivered over 7,000 helicopters to more than 80 countries. 400 Lynx helicopters have been sold to the armed forces of 11 countries, with the latest Lynx variant, the Super Lynx 300, having been purchased by Oman, Thailand and South Africa.
ROLLS-ROYCE, Military sales: $2.2bn
Rolls-Royce is the world's second largest military aero engine manufacturer. Rolls-Royce anticipate steady growth in the military market, not least because of 'increasing regional tensions in many parts of the world'
SMITHS GROUP, Military sales: $1.1bn
Smiths has a wide range of activities, including a large aerospace business which is becoming increasingly military in nature. Missile trigger systems made by Smiths Group were used in US-made Apache attack helicopters supplied to Israel.
VT GROUP, Military sales: $709m
VT believes that the UK's involvement in the Iraq conflict has boosted its chances of receiving new contracts in the Middle East. As a result of the poor order book of the 1990s, the then Vosper Thornycroft acquired companies to bolster its support services portfolio, including military training, and these now account for the bulk of VT sales.
(* sales figures are for 2002)
----
There are 3 categories
1. shares held
2. not known if shares held
3. no shares
Not Known if shares are held in any of the 7 main arms manufacturing companies named in the notes below. This means it is possible shares +ARE+ owned in these companies but the information has not as yet been disclosed.
----
1. Shares
Birmingham University Pension Fund
BAe Systems
Rolls Royce
GKN
Smiths Group
Dundee University Pension Fund
BAe Systems
GKN
Smiths Group
Edinburgh University Pension Fund
Rolls Royce
Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge
Smiths Group
Glasgow University Endowment Fund
BAe Systems
Rolls Royce
VT Group
Greig Educational Trustees Inc.
BAe Systems
Guildhall School of Music and Drama Trust Ltd.
BAe Systems
Hertfordshire University - Higher Education Corporation
BAe Systems
Imperial College of Science, London University
BAe Systems
Cobham
Smiths Group
Lancaster University
BAe Systems
Smiths Group
Leeds University Pension Fund
Smiths Group
Liverpool University - Endowment Funds
BAe Systems
Smiths Group
VT Group
London University Superannuation Arrangements (SAUL)
Rolls Royce
Manchester Metropolitan University
BAe Systems
Smiths Group
GKN
Manchester University Superannuation Scheme
Rolls Royce
Smiths Group
Mid-career College Ltd.
Rolls Royce
New Hall College, Cambridge
Rolls Royce
North West Training Council
BAe Systems
Nottingham University
Rolls Royce
Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge
Cobham
Somerville College, Oxford
Rolls Royce
Southampton University
BAe Systems
St. Hilda's College, Oxford
BAe Systems
Smiths Group
GKN
St. John the Evangelist College, Cambridge
Rolls Royce
GKN
Smiths Group
Surrey University
Rolls Royce
Trinity Hall, Cambridge
Smiths Group
Universities' Superannuation Scheme
BAe Systems
Rolls Royce
Cobham
VT Group
GKN
Alvis
Smiths Group
University College, London University
Cobham
----
2. NK (Not Known)
Aberdeen University
Abertay Dundee University
All Souls College, Oxford
Anglia Polytechnic University
Aston University
Balliol College, Oxford
Cobham - NK
VT Group - NK
Alvis - NK
Bath University - Endowment Fund
Bath University Pension Fund
Birmingham University Pension Fund
Cobham - NK
VT Group - NK
Alvis - NK
Blackfriars Hall, Oxford
Brasenose College, Oxford
Brighton University
Bristol University Endowment funds
Bristol University Pension Fund
Cobham - NK
VT Group - NK
Alvis - NK
Smiths Group - NK
Cambridge University
Campion Hall, Oxford
Christ's College, Cambridge
Churchill College, Cambridge
Clare Hall, Cambridge
Corpus Christi College, Cambridge
Corpus Christi College, Oxford
Courtauld Institute of Art, London University
Coventry University
Cranfield University
Darwin College, Cambridge
De Montfort University
Downing College, Cambridge
Dundee University Pension Fund
Rolls Royce - NK
Cobham - NK
VT Group - NK
Alvis - NK
Durham University
East London University
Edinburgh University
Edinburgh University Pension Fund
BAe Systems - NK
Cobham - NK
VT Group - NK
GKN - NK
Alvis - NK
Smiths Group - NK
Emmanuel College, Cambridge
Essex University
Exeter College, Oxford
Exeter University
Federated Pension Scheme for Non-academic Staff, Cambridge
Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge
Smiths Group - NK
Cobham - NK
VT Group - NK
Alvis - NK
Girton College, Cambridge
Glamorgan University
Glasgow University Endowment Fund
Cobham - NK
GKN - NK
Alvis - NK
Smiths Group - NK
Goldsmiths College, London University
Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge
Green College, Oxford
Greenwich University
Greig Educational Trustees Inc.
Rolls Royce - NK
Cobham - NK
VT Group - NK
GKN - NK
Alvis - NK
Smiths Group - NK
Guildhall School of Music and Drama Trust Ltd.
Rolls Royce - NK
Cobham - NK
VT Group - NK
GKN - NK
Alvis - NK
Smiths Group - NK
Harris Manchester College, Oxford
Heriot-Watt University
Hertford College, Oxford
Hertfordshire University
Hertfordshire University - Higher Education Corporation
Rolls Royce - NK
Cobham - NK
VT Group - NK
GKN - NK
Alvis - NK
Smiths Group - NK
Homerton College, Cambridge
Huddersfield University
Hughes Hall, Cambridge
Hull University Pension Fund
Imperial College of Science, London University
Rolls Royce - NK
VT Group - NK
GKN - NK
Alvis - NK
Jesus College, Cambridge,
BAe Systems - NK
Rolls Royce - NK
Cobham - NK
VT Group - NK
Alvis - NK
Smiths Group - NK
Jesus College, Oxford
Keble College, Oxford
Kellogg College, Oxford
King's College, Cambridge
Kings College, London University
Kingston University
Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford
Lancaster University
Rolls Royce - NK
Cobham - NK
VT Group - NK
GKN - NK
Alvis - NK
Leeds University Pension Fund
BAe Systems - NK
Rolls Royce - NK
Cobham - NK
VT Group - NK
GKN - NK
Alvis - NK
Leicester University
Linacre College, Oxford
Lincoln College, Oxford
Lincolnshire and Humberside University
Liverpool University - Endowment Funds
Rolls Royce - NK
Cobham - NK
GKN - NK
Alvis - NK
London Guildhall University
London School of Economics and Political Science
London University Superannuation Arrangements (SAUL)
BAe Systems - NK
Cobham - NK
VT Group - NK
GKN - NK
Alvis - NK
Smiths Group - NK
Loughborough University
Lucy Cavendish College
Luton University
Magdalen College, Oxford
Magdalene College, Cambridge,
Rolls Royce - NK
Cobham - NK
VT Group - NK
GKN - NK
Alvis - NK
Smiths Group - NK
Manchester Metropolitan University
Rolls Royce - NK
Cobham - NK
VT Group - NK
Alvis - NK
Manchester University
Manchester University Superannuation Scheme
BAe Systems - NK
Cobham - NK
VT Group - NK
GKN - NK
Mansfield College, Oxford
Merton College, Oxford
Mid-career College Ltd.
BAe Systems - NK
Cobham - NK
VT Group - NK
GKN - NK
Alvis - NK
Smiths Group - NK
National Union of Teachers (NUT) HQ - Pension Fund
Rolls Royce - NK
Cobham - NK
VT Group - NK
GKN - NK
Alvis - NK
Smiths Group - NK
New College, Oxford
Newcastle upon Tyne University
Newnham College, Cambridge
North London University
New Hall College, Cambridge
BAe Systems - NK
Cobham - NK
VT Group - NK
GKN - NK
Alvis - NK
Smiths Group - NK
North West Training Council
Rolls Royce - NK
Cobham - NK
VT Group - NK
GKN - NK
Alvis - NK
Smiths Group - NK
Nottingham Trent University
Nottingham University
BAe Systems - NK
Cobham - NK
VT Group - NK
GKN - NK
Alvis - NK
Smiths Group -NK
Nuffield College, Oxford
Rolls Royce - NK
Cobham - NK
GKN - NK
Alvis - NK
Smiths Group - NK
Open University Pension Fund
Oriel College, Oxford
Oxford Brookes University
Oxford University Endowment Funds
Oxford University Staff Pension Fund
Paisley University
Pembroke College, Cambridge
BAe Systems - NK
Rolls Royce - NK
Cobham - NK
VT Group - NK
GKN - NK
Smiths Group - NK
Pembroke College, Oxford
Portsmouth University
Queen Mary and Westfield College, London University
Queen's College, Cambridge
Queens University in Belfast - Pension Fund
Reading University
Royal Holloway College, London University
Royal Veterinary College, London University
Salford University
School of Oriental and African Studies, London University
School of Pharmacy, London University
Sheffield Hallam University
Sheffield University
Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge
BAe Systems - NK
Rolls Royce - NK
VT Group - NK
Alvis - NK
Smiths Group - NK
Somerville College, Oxford
BAe Systems - NK
Cobham - NK
VT Group - NK
GKN - NK
Alvis - NK
Smiths Group - NK
South Bank University
Southampton University Pension Fund
St. Andrews University
St. Anne's College, Oxford
St. Antony's College, Oxford Main Fund
St. Catherine's College, Oxford
St. Edmund Hall, Oxford
St. Edmund's College, Cambridge
St. George's Hospital Medical School, London University
St. Hilda's College, Oxford
Rolls Royce - NK
Cobham - NK
VT Group - NK
Alvis - NK
St. Hugh's College, Oxford
St. John the Evangelist College, Cambridge
BAe Systems - NK
Cobham - NK
VT Group - NK
Alvis - NK
St. John's College, Oxford,
St. Peter's College, Oxford
Stirling University Pension fund
Strathclyde University
Sunderland University
Teesside University
Thames Valley University
The Queen's College, Oxford
The Robert Gordon University
Trinity College, Cambridge
Cobham - NK
VT Group - NK
GKN - NK
Alvis - NK
Smiths Group - NK
Trinity College, Oxford
Trinity Hall, Cambridge
BAe Systems - NK
Rolls Royce - NK
Cobham - NK
VT Group - NK
GKN - NK
Alvis - NK
Ulster University
Univ. of Manchester Institute of Science & Technology
University College Oxford
University College, London University
BAe Systems - NK
Rolls Royce - NK
VT Group - NK
GKN - NK
Alvis - NK
Smiths Group - NK
University of Central England
University of Central Lancashire
University of the West of England
University of Wales, Aberystwyth
University of Wales, Bangor
University of Wales, Cardiff
University of Wales, Lampeter
University of Wales, Swansea
Warwick University
Wolfson College, Cambridge
Wolfson College, Oxford
Wolverhampton University
York University
----
3. No shares
Bournemouth University
Bradford University - Endowment Funds
Brunel University
Buckingham University
Christ Church, Oxford
City University
Clare College, Cambridge
Derby University
Glasgow Caledonian University
Greyfriars Hall, Oxford
Hull University Endowment Funds
Kent University - Endowment Funds
Leeds Metropolitan University
Leeds University Endowment Fund
Liverpool John Moores University
Middlesex University
Napier University
Northumbria at Newastle University
Peterhouse, Cambridge
Plymouth University
Regent's Park College, Oxford
Robinson College, Cambridge
Ruskin College , Oxford
St. Benet's Hall, Oxford
St. Catharine's College, Cambridge
St. Cross College, Oxford
Staffordshire University
Sussex University
Templeton College, Oxford
University of East Anglia
University of Wales, College of Medicine
Wadham College, Oxford
Westminster University
Worcester College, Oxford
-----
note
+ This is an edited version of several documents produced by the Campaign Against the Arms Trade (CAAT) as part of their 'Clean Investment Campaign'. These texts, including specific information on numbers of shares held, are available here:
- -
boycott coca cola
26.06.2005 22:49
Boycott Coca Cola at www.boycottcocacola.fy.bz and keep stoping COCA cola
aran