Unite Hospitality members at the Glasgow Film Theatre have reached an agreement with the organisation. 

Hospitality workers and a charity-run cinema have come to an agreement to remove Coca-Cola products from the venue following a boycott in solidarity with Palestine. 

Unite Hospitality members working at the Glasgow Film Theatre (GFT) announced last week they would no longer list goods for sale at the cinema listed under Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign.

The union members, who make up an overwhelming majority of front of house and cleaning staff, said they would not handle Coca-Cola products. 

The move was supported by campaigners, who had also called for the GFT to remove Barclays advertising at the venue, endorse the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI), and implement a wider BDS support campaign at the venue.

The move comes at a time when Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza continues, with Coca-Cola added to the priority list for the BDS campaign last year. 

In a statement, Unite Hospitality said: “Following discussions between Unite the Union and the GFT, we have come to an agreement to remove Coca-Cola products from the cinema bar for the duration of the Glasgow Film Festival. 

“After the festival, the remained 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 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.”