Wirral Unilever staff stage pension protest

May 25 2011 by Lorna Hughes, Bromborough and Bebington News

WIRRAL Unilever workers protested against the company’s plans to end its final salary pension scheme during the Wirral Coastal Walk.

Members of the Unite and Usdaw unions handed out leaflets during the annual 15-mile charity walk – which is sponsored by Unilever – calling on walkers to back their campaign.

They also wore T-shirts with the message “Unilever – Hands off our pensions”.

Around three-quarters of the Anglo-Dutch firm’s 7,000 UK staff are in the scheme, thought to include most of the 750 who work in the research and development laboratory in Wirral.

Unilever said the final salary scheme had become increasingly unaffordable and unsustainable.

Current members will be transferred to the career average revalued earnings (CARE) scheme from January 1 next year.

Unite shop steward Bill Hodgson said: “We are asking people to support this betrayed workforce in their battle to stop this attack on their pensions.

“Hands off our pensions – we have worked hard for our retirement.”

The protesters were donating their sponsorship money from the event to local charities and Age UK.

A spokesman for Unilever said: “We announced to employees about a month ago proposals to change our pension arrangements to help ensure their long-term financial sustainability and help maintain the competitiveness of the business in the UK.

“We understand the concerns of employees and their representatives and respect their right to protest.”

Consultation on changes to the pension scheme will start in June.