Unilever workers vote for strikes over pensions

Nov 30 2011 by Liam Murphy, Heswall News

UNILEVER workers in Merseyside are set to strike after a ballot from union Unite saw “overwhelming” support for industrial action over pension changes.

Unilever, which has sites in Port Sunlight, said it was “very disappointed” at the vote result, but insisted “pensions arrangements in the UK have to reflect today's realities”.

The company has angered employees with plans to scrap their final salary pension scheme.

Jennie Formby, Unite national officer, accused Unilever of “betraying” employees.

She said: “Our members have spoken and, while the decision to strike was not an easy one, the message is clear – they will not roll over and accept this attack on their pension scheme. Unilever must now do the decent thing for its loyal workforce and get back around the negotiating table.”

She said the union had put forward alternatives, but Unilever “refused to listen”. A Unilver spokesman said: “We understand the strength of feeling prompted by our decision to close our final salary plan.

“However it was based on a belief that making tough choices, including changing our existing pension arrangements, is the right thing to do for our business and our 7,000 people.”