Unilever workers don the 'battle bus' as pension dispute worsens

The vehicle will be emblazoned with the warning: "Unilever not as clean as you think; mega profits but pension snatchers" according to Unite. The action came as workers prepare to strike next week in reaction to the proposed closure of their final salary pension scheme. Plans to close down the final salary scheme will "wash retirement plans down the drain" with employees losing upto 40% of their pensions, Unite warned. Unite chief Len McCluskey urged Unilever to abandon its harsh stance and renew negotiations with workers. In a letter to Unilever shareholders, McCluskey said: "We are…worried that the company wants to escalate this conflict, the first ever national strike in the Unilever's history. I would therefore urge you to use whatever influence you may have to encourage senior management to move away from their current harsh stance and to sit down and talk to the representatives of their workforce. " Employees could lose up to 40% of their pensions under the changes, Unite claimed. Union's attempts to put forward alternatives to save the pension scheme had been quashed by Unilever, the union added. Unite national officer Jennie Formby said: "Unilever has changed from a caring company into one which treats its workers like dirt. We have shown the company that there is no need to destroy the reputation of a blue chip company because there is a solution on the table if only they will talk with the unions."