University of Michigan Suspends Coca-Cola Sales

WSJ ^ | 12/30/05 | Associated Press

[BurbankKarl]

The University of Michigan suspended sales of Coca-Cola products on its three campuses over allegations that the company permits human rights and environmental abuses abroad.

The suspension, which begins Jan. 1, will affect vending machines, residence halls, cafeterias and campus restaurants. Coke's contracts with the university are worth about $1.4 million.

The university and the company said they will continue to negotiate.

"The University of Michigan is an important school, and I respect the way they worked with us on this issue," said Kari Bjorhus, a spokeswoman for The Coca-Cola Co., told the Detroit News. "We are continuing to try hard to work with the university to address concerns and assure them about our business practices."

Michigan's decision was prompted by a complaint last year from Students Organizing for Labor and Economic Equality. The student group accused Coke of draining local groundwater in India and conspiring with paramilitary groups in Colombia to harass and harm union members.

The company has repeatedly denied the allegations, which have prompted other schools to suspend sales.

The university, which has more than 50,000 students, decided not to renew its contracts when Coke said it was unable to meet a Dec. 31 deadline to cooperate in an investigation of circumstances in Colombia. The university and several other colleges had offered to fund the investigation.

[BurbankKarl]

I would drink a Coke on campus just to piss these people off.

[A Ruckus of Dogs]

Could be local Coca Cola cronies behaving badly too.

[RichInOC]

Go to the Billy Goat Tavern in Chicago. No Pepsi...Coke.

[jasoncann]

The company has repeatedly denied the allegations, which have prompted other schools to suspend sales

In other words.. You admit to the crime whether or not its true and will keep you.

[Freedom_no_exceptions]

Students Organizing for Labor and Economic Equality

Possibly a front group for the local Vernors lobby...

[Freedom_no_exceptions]

Students Organizing for Labor and Economic Equality

Possibly a front group for the local Vernors lobby...

[Rakkasan1]

I thought NIKE was the great satan.

[Phantom Lord]

I prefer Pepsi (diet), but would gladly drink cokes around those students who are against Coke.

And speaking of coke, my wifes employer is the holder of the coke receipe. They have the original secured and hold all master receipes in safe keeping. Employees are not allowed to drink products by other manufacturers at work. And only Coke products are allowed at company events.

[Xenalyte]

Me too, but make it a diet one. Or two.

[Prime Choice]

Students Organizing for Labor and Economic Equality.

If that title doesn't just reek of neo-Marxist leanings, what the hell does?

[hispanarepublicana]

This sounds like vintage "union corporate attack" strategy. They regularly like to disguise union attacks in sheep's clothing,

[BurbankKarl]

I told my friend if I was at UM, I would be drinking from a 2 Liter bottle...with a little Capt Morgan in it!

[Dog Gone]

It's always nice to get incontrovertible evidence that a university is absolutely under the control of the far left.

You know, the left that is SO tolerant.

[groanup]

I'm sure some savvy (crafty) KO stockholders can find a savvy (crafty) lawyer to sue the university if the stock declines.

[AppyPappy]

Explanation: Coke probably holds the exclusive rights to soft drinks on the campus. That's why the lefties went after Coke. If Pepsi owned the rights, they would have done the same thing to Pepsi citing Taco Bell or something.

[RicocheT]

The socialist left says a mere allegation is enough to punish as facts may get in the way of their agenda--to cripple the U.S. economy and our democratic way of life.

[steelcurtain]

Nike is the Great Satan, but I'll still drink as much Diet Coke as I can tolerate.

[Freedom_no_exceptions]

I told my friend if I was at UM, I would be drinking from a 2 Liter bottle...with a little Capt Morgan in it!

Captain and Coke was very popular when I went to U-M...only with a LOT of Captain! And it's not the same w/ Pepsi. Bad enough they've ruined freedom of expression on campus. Now they're coming after our drinks!

[NeoCaveman]

It's 2:15 on a cloudy cool afternoon here in Ohio, and Michigan still sucks.

[Scarchin]

Oooooooooooh! I'm bet Coke is scared! How will they survive? Who will drink their product? How will tis helpless company survive?

[MikefromOhio]

[cowtowney]

Is this the same Univ of Michigan that has an actual course entitled "How to be Gay"?

http://washingtontimes.com/national/20030818-122317-3268r.htm

[LexBaird]

Makes me wonder who owns the local Pepsi distributorship. Sounds like a Jackson Tactic to me.

[B Knotts]

Students Organizing for Labor and Economic Equality

Sounds like a bunch of commies. Don't the school administrators have anything better to do than to humor communists?

[Arkinsaw]

[InsureAmerica]

This is wonderful. Can't wait till my children are ready for college. Gonna be fun finding one that I will pay for. Sure won't be UM

""A course called "How to be Gay: Male Homosexuality and Initiation,"

The 'initiation' part makes me cringe. Visions of,"Ok, class, now bend over...."

[dfwgator]

Don't they call it "pop" up there?

[wolfcreek]

We quit drinking certain sodas because the acids in those products stymie the body's ability to absorb calcium. Don't want to have brittle bones when We get old.

[Recovering_Democrat]

... over allegations that the company permits human rights and environmental abuses abroad.

Normally I like pepsi better. But, like you said, I'll drink an extra Coke or two just to make up for the lunatics in Michigan. :)

[jjmcgo]

Here's an idea: How 'bout Coca-Cola refuses to hire people who went to the University of Michigan, until this boycott or whatever ends.

[Xenalyte]

It's been my observation that Pepsi drinkers can drink Coke products if no Pepsi is available, but Coke drinkers won't touch Pepsi with someone else's tongue.

[Diplomat]

It's been my observation that Pepsi drinkers can drink Coke products if no Pepsi is available, but Coke drinkers won't touch Pepsi with someone else's tongue.

True, so very true. Pepsi is like New Coke.

[Xenalyte]

I subscribe to the theory that it's not a bonfire unless one can see it from space.

[goresalooza]

"University of Michigan Suspends Coca-Cola Sales"

Wow..that'll teach 'em! Geesh...talk about childish tantrums. These university dweebs need to keep politics OUT of college life. Of course, libnuts in charge won't allow that.

[tallhappy]

Inmates running the asylum.

[tallhappy]

The university and the company said they will continue to negotiate.

Shakedown.

[Siena Dreaming]

I'm a coke drinker. I will avoid restaurants that serve only Pepsi if I feel like a caffeinated soda.

Can't stand Pepsi.

[Tamar1973]

Possibly a front group for the local Vernors lobby...

UGH! Who drinks that garbage beside nostaligic Detroiters?!

[Little Ray]

Nah. Coke didn't pay 'em enough bribes, kickbacks, etc.

[noblejones]

>>
. . . they would have done the same thing to Pepsi citing Taco Bell or something.
<<

That really IS a human rights violation.

[RaginRak]

Whatever happened to RC Cola??

[Redcitizen]

Things go better with Coke; these guys just don't get it.

[JTHomes]

Yep, it's pop. On another note, they don't seem to have a problem charging something like $3.75 for a coke at the football games. Water is $3. If you ask me, that is a human right violation. I'm hoping for a revolt from season ticket holders after such a dismal season. Never happen though.

[Doc Savage]

I went to graduate school at this place! I must have been out of my mind! What a leftist cabal.

[Dante3]

Good idea.

[Joe 6-pack]

"It's been my observation..."

I agree 100%...The only carbonated drinks I will drink are Coca-Cola and Fresca. If stranded in a desert, I think I'd start recycling my own urine before indulging in Pepsi...

Marlboro red smokers are generally the same way with our cigarettes too...

[Voter#537]

Just you wait and SEE.
Coke is worse than the Mob.
They will be selling coke again and smiling about it.

[geezerwheezer]

Hope you dn't work for Coca Cola then. Must be a looney tunes university when they let dipsticks run the business end of it!!

[hinckley buzzard]

Never been too big of a soda pop drinker, but I can see numerous 2-liter jugs of Coke in my future.(Well, Diet Coke). Resolution for 2006: take arms against the parasitic meeshagan filth.

[petro45acp]

This type of attack is old news.

http://www.snopes.com/cokelore/fanta.asp

FR like all things go better with Coke!

Cheers,