There is ‘growing resentment’ amongst Cadbury workers denied bonuses for working through the coronavirus pandemic that have been paid to US and EU staff employed by the chocolate maker’s parent company Mondelez, Unite said today (Thursday 25 June).
Unite, the UK and Ireland’s largest union, is consulting with more than 1,200 members at Cadbury sites in Bourneville near Birmingham, Chirk in Wales and Marlbrook in Hereford, over how to respond to the issue.
The union called on Mondelez to follow the example of other major international food manufacturers, including Kraft Heinz, Nestle and Coca Cola, that have provided extra payments for UK staff who have worked during the lockdown.
Multinational food giant Mondelez’s revenues have increased during the pandemic, with net global revenue rising by 6.4 per cent in the first five months of 2020, while UK revenues have risen by 5.9 per cent during the same period.
Mondelez’s share of the UK chocolate market has also increased by 2.2 per cent, following a strong Easter performance.
Unite national officer Joe Clarke said: “Throughout the crisis, Cadbury’s workers have put themselves at risk and shown great flexibility, working longer hours to compensate when the workforce was reduced by as much as 30 per cent because of the lockdown.
“There is growing resentment amongst Cadbury staff that Mondelez workers in the US, France, Belgium and Spain have been given bonuses while their hard work is yet to be recognised. This is particularly galling given Cadbury’s strong performance during the crisis, which has been achieved through the hard work of our members.
“We are consulting with our members at Cadbury’s sites in Bourneville, Chirk and Marlbrook over how they want to respond. Unite urges Cadbury and Mondelez to follow the example of Kraft Heinz, Nestle and Coca Cola, who have already implemented bonuses for UK staff in recognition of their contributions during lockdown.”