Unilever looks set to be the victim of strike action in the Netherlands after a local trade union criticised the company’s restructuring plans.
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A shake-up at consumer goods giant, home to brands including Knorr soup and Magnum ice cream, will lead to around 20,000 job losses around the world. Over half are likely to be in Europe, where Unilever has already announced cuts in the UK, France and the Benelux.
Dutch trade union CNV told just-food today (8 October) that strike action against the plans is “very likely”. Union negotiator Frans van de Veen said CNV wants Unilever to ensure it will help Dutch workers affected by the cuts find new employment after leaving the company.
“We don’t forbid Unilever from reorganising [the company]. We just want the reorganisation to be done in a social way,” van de Veen said.
Van de Veen said he expects Unilever to make an announcement on how its restructuring will hit its Dutch operations “in the next few weeks”.
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By GlobalDataUnilever is looking to streamline its operations worldwide in a bid to cut costs and improve efficiency. The company is looking to manage its businesses on a more regional basis, rather than country-by-country.
Unilever is also looking to sell off businesses worth EUR2bn (US$2.8bn).
Officials at Unilever could not be reached for immediate comment.
