Unilever workers to stage demo to save their pensions
3 June 2011
Unite members are to stage a demonstration in Warrington on
Tuesday 7 June, as Unilever begins its consultation into depriving
its 5,000 employees of a final salary pension.
Food and household goods giant Unilever intends to transfer its
UK workforce to the inferior career average revalued earnings
(Care) scheme from 1 January 2012.
Workers from Unilever’s Port Sunlight factory, Port Sunlight
research and development and the Warrington plant plan to
demonstrate outside the Village Hotel in Warrington from 10-11am,
with the message ‘Unilever, hands off our pensions’.
Unite national officer for food and drink, Jennie Formby, said:
”Our members on all Unilever sites are furious at the planned
attacks on their pensions. Unilever is a very profitable and
successful company to which the workforce has richly contributed
over many years.
”With annual UK sales of nearly 2.5 billion euros, this is a
company that can well afford a final salary pension scheme.
In 2008 changes were made to the pension scheme that our members
were promised made it safe for the future, yet just three short
years later management want to do more to drive down the cost of
providing pensions.
”It is morally wrong that the dedication of our members that has
created the company’s wealth should be repaid in such a
mean-spirited fashion that will devastate the retirement incomes of
a loyal workforce and the communities in which they live.
”Unilever must have an urgent rethink on this issue and Unite
will campaign very hard to ensure that happens.”
Unilever makes such iconic brands as PG Tips, Marmite, Dove,
Comfort and Surf.
ENDS
Notes to news editors:
Closure of the scheme will affect 5,000 employees. Unite
represents 1,740 employees across all nine UK Unilever sites.
For further information please contact Jennie Formby on 07702
206436 and/or Unite communications officer Shaun Noble on 07768
693940
