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Canadian Coca-Cola Workers Show Solidarity with Burma

Posted to the IUF website 02-Sep-2005

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Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) Local 350 has shown active solidarity with the people of Burma by pressing Coca-Cola Canada to stop sourcing Coke-branded garments produced under military dictatorship.

Dale Hauck, President of Local 350 CAW in Edmonton, Alberta and Chairman of the Canadian Soft Drink Workers Council, wrote to Coca-Cola Enterprises Canada on August 19 to object to the company's policy of purchasing Coke-branded apparel from the Oceanic Trading Company Ltd. which is sourced from Burma.

In response, Coca-Cola Ltd. (Canada) on August 31 agreed to begin a broad review of procedures and policies related to its procurement and indirect suppliers. The Coca-Cola Ltd. Legal Department is now contacting all suppliers of accessories to inform them that the company would no longer purchase merchandise that contains any component originating from Burma. This specifically includes contacting Coke supplier Ninth Avenue and requiring it to inform Oceanic Trading Company of this policy decision.

The IUF has congratulated Local 350 CAW and the Canadian Soft Drinks Workers Council for this act of solidarity with the democratic movement of Burma.