The 2008 ILO Mission that assessed the situation of trade unions and labor rights in Colombia found a very professional atmosphere and an openness to dialogue in the labor relations between the National Union of Beverage Industry Workers of Colombia (SICO) and the company Bebidas y Alimentos de Urabá (BADUR). Now, the signing of a new collective bargaining agreement reaffirms the ILO’s positive evaluation and proves that it is possible to pave the way to decent work.

On Friday, March 2, SICO and Bebidas y Alimentos de Urabá Coca-Cola signed a new collective bargaining agreement, to replace the previous one, which had been in force for two years.

Negotiations came to a successful conclusion at the end of the first stage of direct dealings, which means that it was a very technical and professional process that did not require the full term established by law and much less the pre-strike and strike mechanisms.

The agreement signed ratifies the clauses on trade union rights and administrative processes and significantly improves the economic clauses included in the previous collective bargaining agreement.

The wage increase approved for the first year of the agreement (2012) was of 7 percent plus 4 percentage points for the sales table, which makes a total of 11 percent. For the second year, the increase will be determined by the 2012 Consumer Price Index value plus 2 percentage points and the 4 established for the sales table. This means that while the negotiating figure for the beverage sector in Coca Cola-FEMSA stands at 5.5 for Colombia, Coca-Cola Urabá workers achieved double that, at 11 percent, and 9 percent is the increase calculated for next year.

Moreover, the benefits over bonuses and other social benefits were raised by an average of 7 percent, while different substantial increases were obtained for fixed sums that are not wages (allowances).

At the assembly convened to report on the agreement, the workers celebrated the achievement, which consolidates a peaceful labor relationship with management and strengthens the union. The assembly voted to acknowledge the support provided by Rel-UITA, FELATRAC and UNAC in the negotiating process.