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.

[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.