20 January, 2012Unilever workers stage ten-day strike actions at food and cleaning products company Unilever UK sites January 18-28 to protest against planned pension cuts. A strike fund has been launched.
UK: On January 18, the work stoppages halted production of leading food and cleaning products, including Colman's mustard, Marmite and Persil.
Unilever's pension system changes will cut workers' savings by between 20 and 40 per cent. One worker estimates that she will lose £7,000 a year when she retires if Unilever pushes ahead with its plans abolish the final salary pension scheme. Management pensions will not be affected.
Unite national officer Jennie Formby said: "The solid support for this strike is a clear message to Unilever that our members are not prepared to be treated like dirt." "It is now our second day of this ten-day strike action and workers, with strong public support and messages of solidarity coming in daily, are standing firm and will not be bullied into accepting these changes."
"We are ready and willing to meet with Unilever to discuss solutions to the dispute."
On January 17 Unite released the film 'Unilever - not as clean as it claims' about Unilever and its treatment of workers. Viewers are urged to send a simple message to Unilever CEO Paul Polman; "It is time for you to talk."
Pickets in support of Unite's demands are planned January 18-28 at UK Unilever sites in Warrington, Purfleet, Manchester, Merseyside, Leeds, Gloucester, Gwent and Staffordshire.
Read more on the Unite website here.