The 2005 Labour Party National Conference has today voted overwhelmingly in favour of the motion brought by the UCD Pat Upton Branch expressing solidarity with the Coca-Cola workers of both Colombia and of the Naas Rd, Dublin. The motion also asserted the Labour Party’s support for the international campaign called by SINALTRAINAL in 2003 in defence of the right to join a trade union.

The motion was passed by at least 80% of delegates and was an emergency addition to the agenda following the initial rejection by Standing Orders Committee of the UCD motion on Coke. The UCD Labour delegation met with the SOC on Friday evening and negotiated an acceptable motion, ensuring that this issue received the debate and support that it deserves. Despite an effort from some SIPTU delegates to have the motion referred back to the National Executive and not voted upon at Conference, rousing speeches from both UCD Labour Chair Enda Duffy and outgoing Secretary Paul Dillon ensured that the motion was resoundingly supported.

A letter supporting the motion from SINALTRAINAL was also circulated by members of the UCD delegation this morning outlining the reasons why it should be passed. The level of recognition which already existed among conference delegates with regard to the boycott campaign was notable, and is testament to the work done by Coke boycott activists nationwide.

Given SIPTU’s influence in the party and the size of their delegation, the approval of this motion is a great victory for the campaign and another step forward in ensuring that awareness about the human rights abuses in Colombia is raised at both a national and international level.

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