The $65 billion merger includes protections for European and UK employees, extending beyond legal requirements until mid-2029.
Unilever will guarantee employment terms for 4,800 workers in its European and British food business for two years following its $65 billion merger with McCormick. The agreement, disclosed in a memo to employees, binds the combined entity until at least mid-2029 and covers roughly a third of Unilever’s regional headcount.
The commitment exceeds typical E.U. and British legal requirements, which allow contract renegotiations one year after a sale. Unilever previously offered three-year protections to workers in its Magnum ice cream division. The European Works Council confirmed the terms in a memo last week.
A Unilever spokesperson stated the company has made progress in negotiations with works councils, agreeing on protections for terms and consultation timelines. The deal reflects ongoing labor discussions amid the merger’s finalization.