’Unilever - not as clean as it claims’ on pensions says new film
17 January 2012
On the eve of the second ever strike at Unilever's UK
operations, Unite has released a film today (Tuesday 17 January)
revealing the truth behind the ’dirty’ tactics being used to
undermine the pensions of the workforce.
’Unilever - not as clean as it claims’ reveals how the world's
third largest consumer products company pays its CEO Paul Polman
285 times more than the average worker yet is forcing through plans
that will see UK workers' pensions fall by between 20 and 40 per
cent. Unite says this is a continuation of a global strategy
which has seen the company cut jobs and pursue ruthless outsourcing
in order to generate wealth for its executives at the expense of
the workforce.
The film can be viewed on the Unite website www.unitetheunion.org or on
YouTube at http://youtu.be/33Theeovq1c.
Unite is urging viewers to send a simple message to CEO Paul
Polman, which is: "It is time for you to talk."
Tomorrow (Wednesday) workers will begin a programme of 11 days
of strike action right across the UK operation, hitting production
of leading brands from Pot Noodle to Marmite, Persil to Dove.
The workers are furious that the company is planning to ditch their
final salary pension scheme despite earlier assurance to the
workforce that it would be retained and the company's point-blank
refusal to discuss alternatives with the workers' unions.
Strike action begins at 06:59 hours tomorrow (Wednesday 18
January), running until 24:00 hours on Saturday 28 January 2012.
This action follows Unilever cancelling planned Christmas
celebrations for workers taking part in their first ever strike
action last month to defend their pension scheme.
Reiterating the call for Unilever to discuss the pension through
conciliation service Acas, Unite national officer Jennie Formby
said: “The hard working workforce made Unilever into the global
giant it is today but consumers will soon know the company better
for its greedy pensions snatch than its products.
“This film will be a best seller – it will be viewed millions of
times. We urge shoppers to watch it and support workers in
their fight to protect the pensions promises made to them.
“Unilever needs to clean up its act. Get back round the
table before you ruin the business’ reputation for good.”
The strikes will hit the following plants and products:
- Purfleet – Hellmann’s mayonnaise, I can’t believe it’s not
butter; Flora
- Trafford Park – PG Tips tea
- Burton – Marmite
- Norwich – Coleman’s mustard and sauces
- Crumlin, Wales – Pot Noodle
- Leeds – Dove Deodorant, Lynx, Sure
- Port Sunlight – Fabric – Comfort, Persil
- Warrington – Persil, Omo
- Gloucester – Wall’s Ice Cream
The other sites involved in strike action – Unilever UK (Central
Resources) Ltd are:
- Port Sunlight – R&D site
- St David’s Park (Near Ewloe in Wales) – IT site
- Colworth, Bedford – R&D site
ENDS
For further information please call Unite communications
officer, Karen Viquerat on 07768 931 316.
Notes to editors: Unite members will join picket lines at 12
Unilever sites:
Purfleet Factory
London Road,
Purfleet,
Essex, RM19 1SD
Times:
Commencing at 07:00 hours on Wednesday 18 January 2012
Concluding at 06:59 hours on Thursday 19 January 2012
Commencing at 07:00 hours on Thursday 19 January 2012
Concluding at 06:59 hours on Friday 20 January 2012
Commencing at 07:00 hours on Friday 20 January 2012
Concluding at 06:59 hours on Saturday 21 January 2012
Commencing at 07:00 hours on Monday 23 January 2012
Concluding at 06:59 hours on Tuesday 24 January 2012
Trafford Park Factory
Trafford Park Road,
Trafford Park,
Manchester, M17 1NH
Time:
Commencing at 21:50 hours on Thursday 19 January 2012
Concluding at 20:49 hours on Friday 20 January 2012
Commencing at 06:50 hours on Sunday 22 January 2012
Concluding at 18:49 hours on Sunday 22 January 2012
Port Sunlight Factory
Port Sunlight,
Wirral,
Merseyside, CH62 4ZD
Time:
Commencing at 18:00 hours on Friday 20 January 2012
Concluding at 17:59 hours on Saturday 21 January 2012
Gloucester Factory
Corinium Avenue,
Barnwood,
Gloucester, GL4 3BW
Time:
Commencing at 06:30 hours on Wednesday 25 January 2012
Concluding at 06:29 hours on Thursday 26 January 2012
Crumlin Factory
Croespenmaen Industrial Estate,
Crumlin,
Gwent, NP11 3AG
Time:
Commencing at 06:00 hours on Thursday 26 January 2012
Concluding at 06:00 hours on Friday 27 January
2012
Commencing at 06:00 hours on Saturday 28 January 2012
Concluding at 23:59 hours on Saturday 28 January
2012
Warrington Factory
2 Liverpool Road,
Warrington,
Cheshire, WA5 1AA
Time:
Commencing at 06:00 hours on Wednesday 18 January 2012
Concluding at 05:59 hours on Friday 20 January 2012
Burton Factory
Wellington Road,
Burton-on-Trent,
Staffordshire, DE14 2AB
Time:
Commencing at 05:00 hours on Wednesday 25 January 2012
Concluding at 04:59 hours on Thursday 26 January 2012
Norwich Factory
Coleman’s of Norwich,
Carrow,
Norwich, NR1 2DD
Time:
Commencing at 06:00 hours Wednesday 18 January 2012
Concluding at 05:59 hours Thursday 19 January 2012
Leeds Factory
Coal Road,
Seacroft,
Leeds, LS14 2AR
Time:
Commencing at 18:00 hours on Friday 20 January 2012
Concluding at 17:59 hours Saturday 21 January 2012
Port Sunlight Research & Development site
Quarry Road East
Bebington,
Wirral,
Merseyside, CH63 3JW
Time:
24 hour stoppage commencing at 00:01 hours on Wednesday 18 January
2012
Unilever Europe IT
Unity House,
St David's Park,
Ewloe, Deeside
Time:
Commencing at 07:00 hours on Wednesday 18 January 2012
Concluding at 06:59 hours on Thursday 19 January 2012
Colworth Research & Development site
Colworth Science Park,
Sharnbrook,
Bedford, MK44 1LQ
Time:
24 hour stoppage commencing at 00:01 hours on Wednesday 18 January
2012
