市場分析

Ben & Jerry’s CEO Dismissal Sparks Legal Fight Over Social Issues

Amos Simanungkalit · 19 Mar22K 閱讀

Image Credit: Reuters

In a filing made Tuesday night in Manhattan federal court, Ben & Jerry’s stated that Unilever notified them on March 3 of Stever’s removal, citing his unwavering dedication to the company’s social mission and brand values, rather than any concerns over his job performance. The filing further alleges that in January, Unilever reprimanded Stever in a performance review for “repeatedly acquiescing” to Ben & Jerry’s social initiatives and warned employees against defying its efforts to curb the brand’s activism.

Ben & Jerry’s accused Unilever of escalating attacks on its social mission, claiming that Unilever blocked the ice cream brand from participating in Black History Month in February and from supporting Mahmoud Khalil, a U.S. legal permanent resident and pro-Palestinian activist, who is facing potential deportation under the Trump administration.

Unilever, as well as their legal team, did not immediately respond to requests for comment, nor did Ben & Jerry’s or its lawyers.

Stever, who was appointed CEO in May 2023, has been with Ben & Jerry’s since 1988, starting as a tour guide. The status of his employment is still unclear. The allegations are part of a larger lawsuit filed by Ben & Jerry’s, which seeks to prevent Unilever from dismantling its independent board and halting its social activism.

The lawsuit includes a proposed amended complaint that Ben & Jerry’s needs court approval to file. Unilever faced a deadline to seek dismissal of Ben & Jerry’s previous complaint on Wednesday.

Since its founding in 1978 by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, Ben & Jerry’s has been known for its socially conscious mission. Unilever acquired the company in 2000. Tensions have been rising since 2021 when Ben & Jerry’s halted sales in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, a move that was later reversed when the business was sold.

The ongoing clash reflects broader trends, with several corporations retracting from social policies deemed too liberal by conservatives, particularly during Trump’s presidency, as he attempts to reshape corporate America and federal policy.

Unilever plans to spin off Ben & Jerry’s, along with other ice cream brands like Breyers and Magnum, later this year as part of a broader strategy to simplify its brand portfolio. This includes its other well-known brands like Dove, Hellmann’s, Knorr, Surf, and Vaseline.

The case is currently filed under Ben & Jerry's Homemade Inc v Unilever Plc et al in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 24-08641.