Fury over Unilever pension proposals


Unions have slammed proposals by consumer product giant Unilever to close its defined benefit pension scheme for new starters and dramatically reduce the value of pension provision for existing members of staff.


As Labour Research went to press, a formal consultation process had yet to start. But the unions understand that the company’s main justification for the proposed changes is centred on the increasing costs of providing the scheme.


GMB national officer Eamon O’Hearn said the proposal was looking to staff “as a lazy shortcut to help achieve the 20% margin by 2020 target the company has set itself”. And Daniel Adams, national officer for the Usdaw union, said: “The joint trade unions are clear that we will not just watch the company remove and downgrade its pension provision.”

https://www.usdaw.org.uk/About-Us/News/2019/Dec/Joint-trade-unions-say-Unilever-proposals-to-cut-p

https://www.foodmanufacture.co.uk/Article/2019/12/03/Unions-hit-out-at-Unilever-pension-cuts-plans

https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/4007640/unilever-sets-plans-overhaul-db-offering-unions-join-forces-quash-proposals