Unilever has once again challenged the Dutch CNV Bedrijvenbond and FNV unions to come to the negotiating table to discuss the future of employees affected by its planned factory closures.
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Following the CNV’s announcement that it is committed to continuing its industrial action, which it said may occur at any time at any of the six plants over the coming weeks, Unilever said it had repeatedly invited both the CNV and the FNV unions to discuss its Social Plan but had been rebuffed.
“After the announcement of the intended closures, we immediately invited the unions for discussions on the Social Plan,” said Unilever spokesperson Minke Bijl. “We did so three times, and there haven’t been any discussions yet because the unions want Unilever to meet their demands for no factory closures or forced redundancies in the Netherlands.
“These are demands Unilever cannot meet as we need to make our supply chain more efficient and reduce costs.”
Bijl went on to say that employees had been asking for further clarification of the Social Plan, so it was in the best interest of its members that the union comes to the table. “At the moment we are looking for opportunities to start discussion with the unions as our employees are asking for clarity on the Social Plan,” Bijl told just-food.
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By GlobalDataBijl said the unions and Unilever had a shared interest in the well-being of the employees. “It’s now up to the unions whether they stick to demands that Unilever cannot meet or listen to their employees,” Bijl said.
Unilever announced on 9 October that it plans to close three of its six plants in the Netherlands.
