Coca Cola's Role in the Assassinations of Union Leaders Explored in Powerful New Documentary http://www.alternet.org/story/146579/coca_cola's_role_in_the_assassinations_of_union_leaders_explored_in_powerful_new_documentary

"As soon as the union was formed, the trouble started," intones the brother of murdered Colombian union leader Isidro Gil ominously at the start of "The Coca-Cola Case," a documentary co-production by the NFB and Argus Films that is about to have its New York premiere.The 86-minute film chronicles the relentless efforts of American lawyers trying to take the soft drink giant to court over the killings of 10 union leaders, who represented workers at Coke bottling plants in Colombia.

Overriding the case are the chilling facts. Between 1990 and 2002, 10 union leaders connected to Coke workers were murdered. Kovalik and the union believe paramilitaries hired by the pop drink's bottlers are responsible for the killings. (According to the film's press release, Colombia is considered the trade union murder capital of the world. Since 2002, more than 470 labor leaders have been killed.)

Gil was shot dead in 1996, just a day after the union contract had expired and was due to be re-negotiated. Almost immediately, all the workers at his plant were herded into the manager's office and given two choices: either sign a letter of resignation or die. They all signed. The monthly wage in that plant plummeted from $380 U.S./month to only $100/month.