The Coca-Cola contract controversy has sparked much protest and concern from opposing sides on campus lately. In response to allegations made against Coca-Cola regarding human rights violations, Loyola's Unified Student Government Association, Loyola Students Against Sweatshops and concerned students have voiced their opinions through anti-Coke petitions. USGA requested that Loyola's beverage committee consider delaying a final decision regarding the future beverage supplier at Loyola. That request was granted, allowing more time for educational efforts and interested parties to supply more input to the committee in regards to their findings on Coca-Cola.
The original deadline for a final recommendation for a beverage company, Oct. 29, was extended to Nov. 16. The extra time has allowed representatives of opposing sides to compile information supporting their positions on the issue in hopes that Loyola representatives may use this information to make an informed decision.
A Coca-Cola forum was held Tuesday evening in Finnegan Auditorium as an opportunity to discuss current issues with the Coca-Cola contract in a forum open exclusively to Loyola students, faculty and staff with valid ID. Among attendees were student representatives from LSAS, the USGA, the Loyola College Republicans Association and other interested members of the Loyola community. Representatives Diana Garza and Kristen Witt of Coca-Cola North America and Kevin Morris, vice president of the Coca-Cola bottling company of Chicago, were guest speakers.
During the forum, students against Coca-Cola products sold on campus noted various allegations issued against the company, asking for an explanation of Coca-Cola's delayed actions in addressing important matters.
Coca-Cola representatives were quick to answer any questions and defended their position against allegations with sources in hand. Representatives stressed that the company has been investigated by Colombia's judicial system, as well as that of the U.S. in which Coca-Cola has been found innocent of allegations.
"It was a tragedy that is beyond measure. We have been charged at a local level," Garza said of the murder of a Colombian Coca-Cola employee. "I'm here to tell you that there is no truth to it ... it is not in our interest to not be completely ethical," Garza said. "There is no evidence to suggest that any bottler was directly involved in violent activities against Coca-Cola employees," Garza said. "Colombia is about the most violent place on earth apart from Iraq," she added. "That does not mean we ought to not be there."
Students against Coca-Cola mentioned government involvement and paramilitary forces engaged in combat with union workers. Students said that Coca-Cola was representing a company they are not. Furthermore, students opposing Coca-Cola suggested the company should work in partnership with the Colombian government, try to restore peace and address the allegation that Coca-Cola is benefiting from non-unionization.
"You can't just barge into a country and demand that the entire industry change because you don't like it," said Garza of opposing views that Coca-Cola should step in and promote ethical and governmental change. "That's not the way it works."
"They have the power to go in and with the snap of their fingers say 'we're going to bring in the unions to have a meeting with everyone in the bottling plant,'" said Carolyn Paul, a member of LSAS, who has family in Colombia. "They have the power to stem so much of this violence," she added.
Students against Coca-Cola accused the company of threatening people for joining and engaging in union activities. Coca-Cola responded that 31 percent of company employees in Colombia are affiliated with a union.
"No one is stopping Coca-Cola employees from being unionized," Garza said.
"We ought to stay there [Colombia]. We would be doing the country harm if we pulled out," Garza said, emphasizing that Coca-Cola's presence in Colombia provides well paying, family-supporting jobs for many individuals.
Tim McGuriman, associate vice president for business services at Loyola, said that the committee is exploring the option of a non-exclusive contract with a beverage company, although that may not be as financially advantageous as an exclusive deal, stressing the benefits a contract with Coca-Cola has brought Loyola in the past.
"Coca-Cola has provided support for need-based scholarships and sponsorship to the athletic department," McGuriman said. "They have provided funds for the student affairs division."
Forum attendees were torn between support and reprimand of Coca-Cola's campus presence.
"It's amusing that a lot of people came in just to badger," said Justine Perry, vice president of Loyola's College Republicans. "Coca-Cola has done a lot for us, and I would love to keep them."
Lydia Wylie-Kellermann and Whitney Herrig were appointed to the vending committee as student representatives.
"I am going into it with an open mind," Wylie-Kellermann said. "I want to make sure I hear what Coke and what students have to say."
"There are no black and whites here; there are no right or wrong answers," Garza said. "We are committed to being part of the solution, but we have to be given the opportunity to see both sides of the issue. At the end of the day the public record speaks for itself."
1 comments
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