THE Glasgow Film Theatre (GFT) has committed to banning the sale of Coca-Cola in their bar, following an open letter calling for a boycott of Israeli-linked companies.
Coca-Cola will not be available for the duration of the Glasgow Film Festival, following a campaign by Unite Hospitality members at the GFT, and will cease to be stocked thereafter.
The open letter sent earlier this month, received 600 signatures in 24 hours, and soon collected over 1,000 names including notable filmmaker Ken Loach and Turner Prize winner Jasleen Kaur.
It urged the venue to sever ties with Israeli-linked companies and join the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement in line with their progressive values and mission statement.
On Monday, Unite Hospitality shared that an agreement was met “to remove Coca-Cola products from the cinema bar”.
Speaking on behalf of their members at the GFT, they said: “After the festival, the remaining Coca-Cola stock will be used up – as this has already been purchased – before permanently switching to an ethically sourced alternative.
“This ensures that no more money will be spent on Coca-Cola.
“The GFT has also confirmed that the wider question of the adoption of the BDS movement is still under review by the board, in line with their legal and charitable obligations.
“As Unite members at the GFT, we celebrate this decision and will continue to encourage the cinema in this positive direction.
“We believe that the removal of Coca-Cola sends a clear message to those companies that continue to profit from genocide, and we hope this act will encourage similar venues to take a stand in solidarity with the people of Gaza”.
Coca-Cola was placed as a BDS priority target due to its alleged large contribution to Israel during the genocide.
Before the agreement was met, unionised GFT staff made the decision to refuse to handle “products from companies complicit in the ongoing genocide in Gaza”.
This continued for just four days before talks ensured that no Coca-Cola products would be sold on the premises during the Glasgow Film Festival, which takes place from 26 February to 9 March and features films from across the globe.
The open letter, which is under review by the Glasgow Film Board, also urged the cinema to stop playing Barclays adverts before film screenings, due to their alleged investment in arms companies which supply the Israeli army.
A GFT spokesperson said today: “On Monday 24th February Unite the Union staff alerted us they would refuse to sell Coca-Cola and Diet Coke from 28th February.
“At this stage our Board of Trustees had started but not completed a review of the Unite staff requests.
“The goal of the review is to ensure that any decisions made do not infringe our legal and charitable obligations and that all staff can have their voice heard.
“We decided to halt the sales before completion of our formal review as we identified the risk of potential confrontations that could impact the welfare and wellbeing of all staff and customers during the charity’s busiest time of year.
“Therefore, GFT has agreed the temporary removal of Coca-Cola and Diet Coke until the end of Glasgow Film Festival.
“We have also committed to, as soon as is practical after the conclusion of the festival, carrying out an ethical review of the products we use whilst the remaining stocks of Coca-Cola are used up.
“The purpose of this review is to further our goal of sourcing fair trade, locally-sourced or environmentally-friendly products wherever possible and practical.
“The wider question of GFT adopting the BDS movement is still under review by GFT’s Board of Trustees, in line with our legal and charitable obligations.
“Glasgow Film is a not-for-profit educational charity committed to delivering its mission of Cinema For All.
“We understand the significance of the issues raised and the depth of feeling raised by members of our communities.
“We have communicated actively with our staff and will continue to do so.”
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