The IUF union has accused Unilever of "double standards" in pay and benefits negotiations for workers in and outside of Europe following the company's $44.8bn deal to sell most of its food assets to McCormick & Co. Unilever committed to European employees that existing pay and benefits would be honoured for two years after the tie-up completes, but similar arrangements for staff outside Europe cover only a one-year period, according to the Switzerland-based union. The transaction, announced in March, is expected to close by the middle of next year and is already under scrutiny by the UK's Competition and Markets Authority, which said on 16 September it was launching a Phase I enquiry despite Unilever's pledge to sell its Colman's mustard brand. The IUF is seeking a universal two-year commitment for all Unilever employees and has called on McCormick to provide equal treatment for workers' rights post-merger, with acting general secretary Kristjan Bragason saying both companies "must walk the talk". Unilever said it continues to engage constructively with works councils and employee representatives and that its focus remains on supporting its people throughout the separation process.
Unilever PLCIUF accuses Unilever of double standards on pay/benefits in its $44.8bn food-asset sale to McCormick, and the UK CMA has launched a Phase I enquiry into the deal.
McCormick & Company IncorporatedIUF calls on McCormick to provide equal treatment for workers' rights post-merger, but no concrete regulatory action against McCormick is described.
