Maynooth Boycott Campaign Referendum

by Disgusted Wed May 05, 2004 12:12

Would the students not be better off studying and trying to pass their exams? As somebody who works full-time so that these slackers can get free fees I am appalled that they would waste their time on such a frivolous cause and abuse the free education system that people such as my self; work hard to provide. Shame on you all!

by Student - None of the above Wed May 05, 2004 12:35

I know the arguments for boycotting coke and I do believe that coke are far from being angels but, here are just a few points to get you thinking:
• The only people that will be hurt by this boycott are the people out in Tallaght where Coke in Ireland comes from.
• The Coke franchise in Ireland has been bought by an independent Irish company.
• The SIPTU branch in the Coke plant in Tallaght do know that there are problem in Columbia but are working with their comrades in the international trade union movement.
• While I agree that something should be done by Coke I think that the boycott is misdirected.
What is would be the result of the boycott?
1. Loss of money which will lead to redundancies of Irish workers in a unionised factory.
2. Irish workers families experiencing real hardship


Do not get this issue mixed up with the boycott of South African campaign of the 1980’s this is not as cut and dry.

By the same logic of Boycotting Coke we should bring it a step further and boycott Dublin Bus and ESB because they both run on oil from Saudi Arabia a country that does not even hide its human’s rights abuses.

Going back to my original point I do think that something needs to be done about Coke in Colombia however can we not work with the Trade Union movement in order to achieve this?

by Vote Yes Wed May 05, 2004 14:22

These are understandable concerns. Firstly it is importatn to make clear that primarily it is the trade unions in Coke Ireland that should be the ones organising work stoppages in solidarity with the colombian workers. The failure to work for such action was a major mistake of the leaders of the UCD boycott Coke campaign.

The fact is that the loss of sales in any one college will have a minimal impact on the sales of Coke in Ireland. Maynooth only has a few thousand students, Coke are selling millions of bottles, a few thousend wont make a huge difference.

The greatest threat to the jobs of the Coke workers in Ireland is not those organising the boycott it is from Coke managment themselves. Coke is a multinational firm that solely cares about maintaining their profit levels, this is why they kill trade unionists and lay off workers in Ireland. Coke managment NOT pro Trade Union students are the real enemies of the Coke worker.

As for Coke bottleing being a seperate firm. It is not. It is legally a seperate firm for tax reasons. It is essentially still controlled and owned by Coke.

by David Wed May 05, 2004 14:36

The Trade unions are doing little or nothing to acti in solidarity with their peers being murdered in Colombia except for some unions who support the Boycott.

According to my information, Coca-Cola bottlers Ireland are actually owned by a Greek company, but this is beside the point, Coke Ireland buys its raw materials from Coca-cola corporation and pays a license to them. If they start to suffer they will put pressure on Coca-Cola international to put pressure on their Colombian subsidiaries. Coca-Cola is really one large company, the fact that they're legally owned and operated by different franchises is only a point of law. It is clear that they are intrinsically linked.

The Boycott of Coke by individuals and institutions is a statement that we no longer wish to be complicit in the human rights abuses they are involved in promoting. Because we can not attack every company who is responsible for crimes at once, does not mean we should not try to do whatever we can.

by Vote Yes Wed May 05, 2004 14:46

The inaction of SIPTU on this issues is a disgrace. Ann Speed the person responsible for the bottling workers has played a disgusting role. She has acted alongside managment and actually campaigned alongside coke managment aganisnt the boycotts. She should resign, she is corrupted by her parties connection wiht Coke.

Of course the SIPTU leadership don't want to rock the boat wiht managment in Coke. If they were to organise solidarity action it would mean a challenging of the Industrial Relations Act 1990 which as well as protecting scabs it makes it illegal to have 'political' or solidarity strikes, it also makes it illegal to black products. But a challenge to the crimes of multi national companies would also open up the chances of similar actions taken all across Ireland, SIPTU leaders don't want this. They are essentially part of the state as they are tied to the employers and the government with partnership. It is time to end partnership, repeal the undemocratice Industrial Relations Acts and to reclaim the Unions from the bureaucrats!

by Student Wed May 05, 2004 14:51

Good points and I am sorry Greek owed you are right. But has any one contacted the local Union in Coke. Dont get me wrong I dont drink coke more for health reasons ie rots your teeth and insides. However I would like to see a forum set up between the local workers and this campaign.

The end result still could be still boycott but I would like to see if some common ground could be found.

by freedom from oppression Wed May 05, 2004 16:41

I just voted NO.

Why should other people tell me what I can and cannot do? If someone has a problem with Coke, then dont buy it! But dont force your will on other people.

What next, ban meat from the canteen? Or ban clothes made in the Far East?

by freedom to choose Wed May 05, 2004 16:52

Anti -Coke campaign is a sham!

Personal Freedom is at the heat of democracy. If I want to protest about something, then I should be allowed. Likewise if I want to choose to purchase a legal & safe product then I should be allowed. But why should anyone else tell me when I can and cannot protest, and what I can and cannot buy?

The anti-coke campaign has been hijacked by a small group of individuals who want to further their own campaign of eliminating freedoms from ordinary citizens. The abuses in Columbia are wrong, but so is the nanny state. Some of the anti-coke campaigners are just as bad as McDowell when it comes to civil liberties.

by David Wed May 05, 2004 17:15

A referendum is freedom to choice. the students own the student shops, we are getting the chance to choose which products we sell.
People who vote no are free do do so, but they must be made aware that their choices carry consequences. Campaigning for a corporations right to murder and kidnap trade unionists is not something to be proud of.

Ethics and the law have nothing to do with each other. just because something is legal doesnt mean its right, and just because something is illegal doesn't make it wrong.

by Rank and file Wed May 05, 2004 18:24

that an Irishman has been made CEO of the company.
ICTU probably lobbied to get him the job.

by David Wed May 05, 2004 21:06

Unfortunately the Students decided to vote on a margin of 2 to one in favour of Coca-Cola.

The Maynooth Boycott Coke Campaign would like to thank everyone who supported us over the last 7 months.

We tried our best but unfortunately the majority of student opinion was not on our side.

by David Wed May 05, 2004 21:36

398 in favour, 612 against

by coke jobs defender - ant-ban campaign group NUI Maynooth Wed May 05, 2004 21:38 no_to_coke_ban at oceanfree dot net

Coke Ban referendum has been defeated in Maynooth.
The referendum to ban coke has been defeated in NUI Maynooth.
This is a triumph for democracry that the students have turned out in numbers to defend the jobs of irish workers in Coca Cola and to put say no to the Unfounded allegations being thrown around by those in favour of the ban.
The students have shown that they are willing to defend the principle of innocent until proven guilty and the right to choose.
Final Poll YES 397 NO 612.
ENDS

by R. Isible Wed May 05, 2004 21:43

Thanks for the update David. It's a pity, but on the other hand it's a reasonably close result and probably reflects all the hard work you put in. Don't forget to take a leaf out of the book of the pro-death-squad people in UCD and re-run the campaign if you feel up to it!

by Starstruck - UCD Left,Ban Coke Campaigns Thu May 06, 2004 13:04

"Protect Democracy and jobs"
What about human lives?
The fact remains that real people are dead all of them trade unionists in a Colombian plants that produce COCA-COLA products.
To allege that coke cannot do anything about the ongoing threats,kidnappings and intimidation is fucking ridiculous and naive.
People before profit,human rights before human jobs.
You should be proud of yourselves,all those on the Boycott side.
Unfortunately in this world not everyone is unselfish in their motives.
At the end of the day youve got to look out for Number 1 dont you???
Fucking Shame.

by adam Fri May 07, 2004 16:21

"A referendum is freedom to choice. the students own the student shops, we are getting the chance to choose which products we sell."

Fully correct BUT.... like in the divorce, abortion etc referendums, you're impinging on the rights of someone to do something because the majority wish it.

Anyways, Students' Union should concentrate on spending their energy and resources on issues they can effect - and don't bullshit me that the Coke 'ban' will have any effect, because Nestle ban certainly didn't.

Try concentrating on disability rights, LGB, Libraries, better funding etc, and get pragmatic