Unilever Union

We are the Union for Unilever Workers.

Right now, Unilever workers are joining together across the country to improve their working conditions through the power of a union. Whether you work at a creamery or manufacturing facility, the United Food and Commercial Workers Union is here to help you and your coworkers get the respect and benefits that come with starting a union.

Having a union is all about having a say in how your workplace is run. When you and your coworkers come together and start a union, you gain the ability to utilize your collective voice and ensure things like policies, working conditions, and benefits packages can’t be changed without your approval.

Union members have a voice on the job and the right to sit down with their employers to create a mutually agreed-upon contract that secures the thing you need to make your job sustainable.

While most Unilever workers do not yet have union representation, nearly 90% of the manufacturing workers of their parent company Unilever are unionized. Unilever is very proud of this fact and has stated that “labour rights are human rights – and freedom of association is one of our eight salient human rights issues.” We couldn’t agree more with that, and we are here to help you and your coworkers exercise these same rights to organize your Unilever too.

With a union contract, food retail and manufacturing workers have been able to both protect what they love about their jobs and improve the things they don’t! Read on to learn more about the difference a union could make at your Unilever facility — and how you can get involved in organizing your facility too!

Ready to start a union at your Unilever facility?

Unilever Union News

Unilever Workers in Sikeston, MO, Deserve to Protect Their Futures Ahead of 2025 Buyout

SIKESTON, MO. – Unilever recently announced plans to sell its ice cream operations – impacting 7,500 jobs internationally. Ahead of this planned buyout next year, Unilever workers in Sikeston, MO deserve a way to protect their jobs and their livelihoods.

Unilever’s leadership has made it clear that they’ll remain neutral and respect workers’ right to unionize as employees across the country decide to come together to secure their future on the job.

This means it’s the perfect time for workers in Sikeston to join the growing Unilever union. By starting a union at our facility before the planned sale, we can fight to protect ourselves against an uncertain future and secure the wages, working conditions, and benefits we need to thrive. Learn more about how we can work to keep our jobs safe with a union.

Dairy Processing Union News: “Ben & Jerry’s ice cream processors unionize”

WATERBURY, VT. – Workers at the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream processing factory in Waterbury, Vt., unionized, joining the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW).

The ice cream manufacturer’s parent company, Unilever, agreed to neutrality and UFCW noted that made it possible for the Ben & Jerry’s employees at the plant to achieve union recognition via card check on Dec. 13.

UFCW international president Marc Perrone said the private sector union was “extremely proud” to welcome the ice cream processors.

“From Cherry Garcia to Chunky Monkey, Ben & Jerry’s workers at the Waterbury, Vermont, plant proudly make some of the country’s most recognizable ice cream flavors,” Perrone said. “As America’s food processing union, we are thrilled at the opportunity to not only represent, but uplift, workers at such an iconic American brand and we look forward to bringing this opportunity to other Unilever plants across the country. These workers know better than anyone that whether it’s in a cup or cone, union victory tastes sweet.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Unilever union?

Unilever proudly states on its website that they believe “Labor rights are human rights,” and the UFCW is proud to work with them to see this tenet through! 89% of their manufacturing workers are union members – giving them the right to negotiate with the company and secure their benefits with a union contract.

A union contract gives you and your coworkers the power to establish a standard operating procedure that makes sure everyone in your facility follows the same guidelines. We believe all Unilever workers deserve a say in their working conditions, and it is our mission to make sure the remaining 11% get the same benefits as their union coworkers!

What’s in our union contracts?

UFCW Local 655 represents food processing workers from a wide range of industries across Missouri and Southern Illinois. These workers have already won strong union contracts that feature benefits like:

• Overtime pay
• 12 paid holidays each year
• Guaranteed wage increases every year
• Comprehensive healthcare and welfare benefits
• Clear discipline and grievance procedures
• Seniority rights around promotions and paid time off

All Unilever workers deserve strong benefits like these, and starting a union at your Unilever facility can give you and your coworkers the power you need to secure these improvements in a union contract.

What a Union Contract Guarantees

Better Scheduling and Overtime Policy

You and your coworkers are the ones who get the final say in policy-making. Things like your schedule, shift length, and overtime can’t be changed by the company on a whim.

You work hard and should not only be compensated properly for it but have time to enjoy life too! That’s why we bargain for fair scheduling policies that make 40-hour weeks possible for workers who want a better work-life balance.

Attendance & Discipline Policies

A union contract acts as a standard operating procedure that everyone in your workplace has to follow. Having set disciplinary and grievance procedures is key in our contracts to help protect workers from unjust discipline, wrongful firings, and favoritism.

Seniority & Job Security

We believe that if you want to make a career at your facility, you should have access to the resources to do so! With seniority language in your union contract, things like promotions, raises, time off, and layoffs are determined by the work you put in, not your relationship with supervisors.

Healthcare & Sick Leave

Union food processing and manufacturing workers also enjoy a range of benefits including paid sick leave and affordable healthcare plans, keeping our facilities healthier and safer too!

Training & Safer Workplaces

Your safety should be a priority at your Unilever facility. Processing and manufacturing plant jobs come with real risks and working with equipment you’re not properly trained on can result in injury to both yourself and others. With a union contract, you have the ability to secure thorough training programs, improved safety procedures, and regular inspections.