GFT Workers Boycott Israeli Settlement Products
Workers at the Glasgow Film Theatre have taken a bold stance by refusing to handle products linked to a Palestine boycott list. This decision comes after the cinema failed to reach an agreement to stop stocking these items, sparking a significant movement within the Scottish hospitality sector.
The call to action was initiated through an open letter from Unite Hospitality, representing over 85% of front-of-house and cleaning staff at the GFT. The letter, endorsed by prominent figures like Ghassan Abu-Sittah and filmmaker Ken Loach, urged the theatre to align with the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement and support the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel.
Boycott Commencement and Impact
With no resolution in sight, the boycott is set to begin on February 28, coinciding with the Glasgow Film Festival. During this period, Unite Hospitality members will refrain from handling BDS-listed bar products, including those manufactured by the Coca-Cola company, which has ties to the Israeli regime.
Central Beverage Company, also known as Coca-Cola Israel, operates within the Atarot Settlement Industrial Zone in the occupied West Bank. Additionally, its subsidiary Tabor Winery maintains vineyards in the West Bank and Golan Heights. By taking a stand against these products, workers are sending a powerful message of solidarity with the people of Palestine.
A spokesperson for the Unite Hospitality GFT branch expressed disappointment in the cinema’s refusal to endorse BDS and PACBI. Workers feel that the institution’s financial and cultural ties to the Israeli regime, accused of genocide and practicing apartheid, conflict with the values they uphold. Despite the cinema’s screening of Palestinian films, the refusal to sever ties with oppressive regimes has stirred a sense of moral obligation among employees.
Support and Advocacy
Yana Petticrew, the industrial officer for Unite Hospitality Glasgow, extended unwavering support to GFT members participating in the service boycott. She emphasized the importance of standing up against oppression and fostering worker solidarity, highlighting the impact of local actions on global issues. Petticrew encouraged workers across various sectors to follow the lead of GFT members and implement BDS policies in their workplaces.
Max McCluskey, campaigns officer for Unite Hospitality Glasgow, underscored the interconnectedness of international economic systems. He emphasized the need for cultural institutions like the GFT to divest from unethical practices and align their cultural output with ethical principles. McCluskey’s remarks underscored the broader implications of supporting oppressive regimes and the necessity of ethical consumerism.
Art Workers for Palestine Scotland expressed disappointment in the GFT’s lack of response to their open letter and meeting request. They called upon cultural venues in Glasgow and beyond to endorse PACBI, signaling their commitment to the cultural boycott of Israel. The group praised the unionized workers at GFT for their courageous stand and vowed to intensify their campaign until their demands are met.
As the Glasgow Film Theatre and the Glasgow Film Festival remain silent on the matter, the voices of workers and advocacy groups continue to amplify, urging the institution to reconsider its stance. The journey towards justice and solidarity with Palestine is one that resonates deeply with workers across industries, uniting them in a shared mission for a fairer, more equitable world.
