California Federation of Teachers Boycott Coca-Cola

Resolution Passed by California Federation of Teachers State Council:

Boycott Coca-Cola Products

WHEREAS Coca-Cola has bottling plants world-wide in many underdeveloped countries, and

WHEREAS many of these plants are in countries ruled by autocratic regimes or governments that owe their existence to U.S. governmental support, and

WHEREAS in Colombia, where Coke has a bottling plant, the U.S. government provides billions of dollars annually as well as military assistance to defeat insurgent forces, and

WHEREAS Coca-Cola has collaborated with the Colombian government to target union activists, and

WHEREAS union activists at the Coca-Cola plant have been assassinated by right-wing paramilitary groups, and

WHEREAS union activists in Colombia and throughout the world are calling on their union brothers and sisters to boycott Coca-Cola,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the CFT, in solidarity with our union brothers and sisters fighting for basic democratic and trade union rights, calls upon CFT members to avoid purchasing Coca-Cola products (including soda, water, sports drinks, etc.) and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the CFT encourage locals not to serve Coke products at meetings and insist that such products are not served at CFT meetings, and

FINALLY BE IT RESOLVED that CFT publicize this issue on its website and in its publications.

Passed October 2, 2004