Posted on 12/30/2005 10:49:58 AM PST by 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
Could be local Coca Cola cronies behaving badly too.
Go to the Billy Goat Tavern in Chicago. No Pepsi...Coke.
Possibly a front group for the local Vernors lobby...
Possibly a front group for the local Vernors lobby...
I thought NIKE was the great satan.
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.
Me too, but make it a diet one. Or two.
If that title doesn't just reek of neo-Marxist leanings, what the hell does?
This sounds like vintage "union corporate attack" strategy. They regularly like to disguise union attacks in sheep's clothing,
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!
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.
I'm sure some savvy (crafty) KO stockholders can find a savvy (crafty) lawyer to sue the university if the stock declines.
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.
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.
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!
It's 2:15 on a cloudy cool afternoon here in Ohio, and Michigan still sucks.
Oooooooooooh! I'm bet Coke is scared! How will they survive? Who will drink their product? How will tis helpless company survive?
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