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Nestlé, the world's largest food company, carefully polishes and peddles its profile as a "responsible corporate citizen"
- in its glossy presentations and publications, in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) get-togethers, even at the United Nations, where it now sponsors public events.
But Nestlé workers and their unions around the world know a different Nestlé
- a company which, given half a chance, never hesitates to violate international standards on trade union rights and Conventions of the United Nations' ILO in its ruthless quest for profit.
September 03, 2010
The 'Nescafé Plan': Buyer Beware
Nestlé's has announced with typical media fanfare a 10-year "Nescafé Plan" to help the company "further optimize its coffee supply chain". Nestlé plans to double the amount of Nescafé coffee purchased directly from farmers over the next five years. There's also a specific Nespresso component to the plan - unsurprising, since Nespresso is Nestlé's fastest-growing brand.
September 02, 2010
South Africa: Nestlé Shopstewards in Solidarity With Nescafe Panjang Workers
August 31, 2010
Australian Unions Protest Nestlé’s Suppression of Union Rights at Nescafé Indonesia/Protest shuts Sydney Nespresso shop
Australian unions in the state of New South Wales led by Unions NSW (formerly the Labour Council) held a demonstration on August 30 in front of the Nestlé-owned Nespresso shop in Sydney’s city center. The action, which resulted in the temporary closure by management of the Nespresso shop, was taken in support of the IUF-affiliated SBNIP representing workers at the Nescafé factory in Panjang, Indonesia.
July 22, 2010
Nestlé Defends Anti-Union Practices in Indonesia with…Nestlies
How many times can a company lie in the course of attempting to undermine a union? It is difficult to say if Nestlé, the world's largest food company, holds the record (the competition is stiff), but it is certainly an over-achiever…
July 20, 2010
Nespressure in South Africa: March for the Rights of Sales Workers!
Over 200 members of Food and Allied Workers’ Union (FAWU) marched to the Nestlé head office in Randburg on July 12, 2010, demanding decent jobs for merchandisers who are handling Nestle products in major supermarkets in South Africa.
July 19, 2010
Nestlé Waters Russia Bows to Pressure, Union Vice-Chair Reinstated
Management of Nestlé Waters Russia has declined to appeal the court-ordered reinstatement of Sergei Strykov, Vice-Chair of the union formed last year who was fired on January 27, 2010. Strykov has also been compensated for wages lost from January through May, while the union was fighting his illegal dismissal.
July 15, 2010
Germany: NGG calls for bona fide negotiations with SBNIP
Participants in the Nestlé Germany Works Council Conference, organised by the German Food Workers Union NGG on 23-24 June 2010, put their signatures on an open letter addressed to Nestlé CEO Paul Bulcke, in which they expressed their concern over events in Indonesia and the damage the company's actions were doing to the Nestlé brand.
July 13, 2010
Whose Workplace? The ILO and Nestlé
The latest video interview with Nestlé Chair Peter Brabeck takes place on the balcony at company headquarters in Vevey Switzerland, with Lake Geneva and the snow-capped Alps shining in the background. Brabeck relates his rise from ice cream salesman to head of the world's largest food company, with the reporter smiling approvingly: "You've come a long way." You cannot escape promotion, explains Brabeck, if you're just a bit better (expressed with mathematical precision as 5% better). Read more about this astonishing interview.
July 02, 2010
Nestlé Peru: When Words Mean Different Things to Different People
Linguistic differences, even within the same language, often lead to misunderstandings and something like that might’ve been what happened at Nestlé Peru.
June 14, 2010
Brazil: Ministry of Labor fines Nestlé for imposing long working hours
It doesn’t come as a surprise to see Nestlé breaching its own agreements. The transnational corporation has become a typical example of corporate cynicism. What’s truly surprising is that this time Brazil’s Labor Ministry has levied a fine of US$ 320,000 on Nestlé for violating an agreement with its workers. In what constitutes a very positive sign, the company has agreed to pay the fines through donations to various health institutions.
June 10, 2010
Nestlé Peru: How Much Longer?
At Nestlé Peru there’s no such thing as management-union dialogue. Management insists on sidestepping the union and communicating directly with its workers through the CEO’s “Hello Nestlé!” bulletin or the “Comunicación al colaborador” newsletter issued by area managers in an attempt to appeal to the workers’ sense of community by addressing them as equal partners, while clearly not involving them in any decision-making. But this attitude of false camaraderie is not the worst of it, as the company has been relentlessly taunting the union with a series of actions aimed at deteriorating working conditions, and the union’s patience is wearing thin. The following account illustrates the cynical labor relations policy of a company that has become famous for its “Social Corporate Irresponsibility”.
June 07, 2010
Stop Nespressure! New Rally at Nescafé Panjang Factory
On June 3, the Nestle Panjang Workers Union (SBNIP) organized a peaceful rally outside the Panjang factory demanding that Nestle management stop supporting the yellow union and start bargaining with SBNIP now.
June 03, 2010
Nestlé European Unions Demand Halt to Trade Union Rights Violations at Nescafé Indonesia
At the June 1 meeting of the Nestlé European Works Council in Geneva, Switzerland, representatives of twenty Nestlé unions from across Europe collectively called on the company to immediately halt all attempts to weaken the IUF's affiliate at the Nescafé factory in Panjang, Indonesia. The unions insisted that Nestlé enter into the wage bargaining talks the union has been demanding for 3 years.
May 16, 2010
South African Food Workers' Union Express Solidarity with Nestle Workers
National Executive Committee of Food and Allied Workers' Union (FAWU) of South Africa expressed solidarity with Nestle workers worldwide and declared support to the campaign to Stop Nespressure. Members of the committee signed postcards to Nestle' CEO Paul Bulcke, demanding full recognition of SBNIP union at Nescafe Indonesia plant. FAWU is 120.000 members strong and is the largest food workers union in South Africa. Cape Town, May 12, 2010.
May 11, 2010
IUF Downgrades Nestlé CSR Rating from B+ to Junk
We never bought it, so we can't change the recommendation to sell - but we have taken a closer look at the rating put on Nestlé's Creating Shared Value Report 2009 in order to investigate the reporting criteria - and whether they've been met.
May 08, 2010
May Day International Solidarity with Nestle Workers
On International Labour Day, 1 May 2010, solidarity pickets and marches in Russia, Hungary and the Dominican Republic highlighted the growing anger of the workers' movement as they called on one of the world most powerful corporations to respect union rights. Photo: May Day rally in Moscow, Russia.
May Day Workers March in Panjang, Indonesia for Respect of Union Rights at Nestle
May 05, 2010
Dominican Republic: “No más Nespresión”, Justice for Nestle Workers!
On April 30, 2010 Dominican Republic Nestle workers (Nestle Workers Union – San Francisco, SITRANESTLESF) gathered in front of Nestlé ice cream shop to express their support to Nespressure campaign. Place: San Francisco de Macorís, Dominican Republic.
April 28, 2010
Nestle and 'Zero Accidents': Can be Hazardous to Your Health!
Unions around the world will be mobilizing again on April 28, each in its way highlighting the 360,000 annual workplace fatalities and 2 million deaths from occupational diseases. On April 28, as on every other day, some 960,000 workers will be injured in an accident at work, and some 5,300 workers will die of work-related diseases.
April 26, 2010
Nescafe's suppression of trade union rights in Indonesia
April 22, 2010
3 Delivery Accidents in One Week at Nestlé Waters Russia - Nespressure, What Else?
Workloads aren't all that has increased at Nestlé Waters Direct in Domodedovo, Russia. The Domodedovo workers' union sees a direct connection between the brutal increase in working hours and the 6 road accidents that have occurred in as many months - 3 of them in one recent week alone.
April 21, 2010
Nestlé Peru Declares a Pay Freeze and Breaks Off Direct Dealings with Union
In stark contrast to its “Choose Wellness, Choose Nestlé” slogan boldly displayed on its website, Nestlé recently broke off direct dealings with the National Union of Workers of Nestlé Peru S.A. (SUNTRANEP), refusing, among other things, to grant any wage increase during the whole of 2010, and attempting to take away social benefits already gained by workers.
April 20, 2010
Nestlé Indonesia Continues to Deny Wage Bargaining Rights!
April 16, 2010
Nesprofits - What Else?
Nestlé, the world's largest food corporation, is rolling in money. The 2009 results recently announced show sales topping USD 102 billion (94.6 billion in the core food and beverages division), operating profits of 14.85 billion (up on the previous year), margins (much beloved of financial analysts) hitting an enviable 14.6%, and a breathtaking 67% increase in cash flow, up from USD 6.81 billion in 2008 to 16.93 billion in 2009. Click here to continue reading.
March 29, 2010
Workers' Rights are Universal! Stop Nespressure Action in St.Petersburg, Russia
Nestle representatives refused to talk with worker activists waiting at the entrance to the Nestle regional office in St. Petersburg, Russia. The activists' solidarity action with workers in Russia and Indonesia was organized by the Center for Workers' Coordinated Action and supported by the Trade Union of Automobile Industry Workers, which is known for its successful strike at the Ford factory in St. Petersburg in 2007. Once again, Nestle refused to talk - the campaign Stop Nespressure will roll on throughout the world.
March 25, 2010
Stop Nespressure! Russian Confederation of Labour Demands Reinstatement of Sergey Strykov
The Russian Confederation of Labour continues its series of actions against trade union rights violations at the Nestlé Waters plant in Domodedovo near Moscow. On March 25, social activists joined workers of the plant in a picket in front of Nestlé headquarters in Moscow to show their support and rally behind the demand to reinstate union vice-chairman Sergey Strykov.
March 14, 2010
Global Dairy Workers Conference pledges support to Nestle workers, demands: Stop Nespressure!
Representatives of dairy workers' unions from 22 countries gathered for their second global conference on March 9-12, 2010 in Buenos Aires and Sunchales, Argentina. In sharing the information, delegates continually cited Nestle as a company where the abuse of trade union rights is common practice in various countries. In conclusion, the conference declared support to all Nestle workers currently facing pressure, and in particular to the union at Nestle Waters in Russia and its campaign for the reinstatement of fired union leader, Sergey Strykov.
March 12, 2010
Nestlé European Works Council Steering Committee denounces Nespressure in Indonesia, Tunisia, Russia, the UK, Hungary and Spain
While the union at Nestlé Indonesia in Panjang, SBNIP, continues to be denied the opportunity to exercise its right to negotiate wages and the Nestlé Tunisia Workers Union is struggling to obtain full implementation of an agreement which was signed by the company and the government labour authorities in January to end an industrial dispute, unions in Europe are experiencing pressure when exercising basic rights such as forming unions and defending the interests of their membership.
March 11, 2010
Stop Nespressure! Ukrainian unions demand reinstatement of Sergey Strykov
Members of the Zahist Pracy federation of unions expressed their support for the Nestle Waters workers' struggle against anti-union discrimination. Public action was held in front of Nestle Ukraine headquarters in Kiev on 11 March. A letter demanding the reinstatement of the dismissed union activist at the Nestle plant in Domodedovo in Russia was handed to a representative of the company.
March 01, 2010
Stop Nespressure! Leafleting and press conference in Moscow
As part of the continuing campaign for the reinstatement of Sergei Strykov, trade union activists distributed leaflets in front of the Nespresso boutique in Moscow on 26 February. The boutique’s manager was handed a letter of protest against the company’s constantly applied practice of pressurizing trade union activists, a practice which has already acquired its own name - Nespressure. However, the letter was refused, in a typical display of Nestle arrogance and contempt for public opinion.
February 26, 2010
From Montevideo to Goa Nestle workers demand: Stop Nespressure!
On February 25 the Nestle Ponda and Nestle Bicholim unions in Goa, India, held protest actions against trade union rights violations at Nestle Waters in Russia. The unions, which are members of the IUF-affiliated Federation of All India Nestle Employees, condemned union-busting at Nestle Domodedovo and demanded the reinstatement of the union vice-chair Sergei Strykov. Last year Nestle unions in India won collective bargaining rights with the support of IUF's global campaign, and are now extending the same global solidarity to Nestle workers in Russia.
February 20, 2010
Uruguay Nestle Workers demand respect of union rights in Russia and Indonesia
Nestle workers picketed the gates of the factory in Montevideo on February 19, 2010 to demand recognition of union rights and fair treatment for Nestle employees in Indonesia and Russia.
February 09, 2010
Nespressure Again at Nestlé Russia: Company Punishes Union Workers with Dismissal, Discrimination and Pay Cuts
January 06, 2010
Nestlé Workers in Tunisia Continue Industrial Action After Secret Sale of Ice Cream Factory
Workers, their union and the Federation of Food and Tourism Workers of Tunisia (FGAT) are demanding to know the facts behind Nestlé's secret sale of an ice cream factory. Click here to tell Nestlé, "Be fair to your Tunisian workers!"
January 05, 2010
Nestlé India unions win recognition and wage bargaining rights
In a major win in the closing weeks of 2009, unions representing more than 1,200 workers at Nestlé India’s factories in Moga, Ponda and Bicholim signed collective bargaining agreements on wages and benefits for the first time - marking a major achievement in their year-long struggle for the right to wage bargaining. The agreements also include wage scales and wage information that previously were declared ‘secret’ by management.
December 15, 2009
Stop Nespressure! Respect union rights!
The Nestlé workers union in Timisoara/Romania (part of the IUF-affiliated food workers federation SINDALIMENTA) organised a rally in front of their factory on Monday 14 December "in solidarity with Nestlé workers throughout the world fighting for respect of universal labour rights including the right to negotiate wages as part of CBA negotiations".
December 05, 2009
Strike at Nestlé Tunisia after secret sale of ice cream factory
On 17 November 2009, workers at the Nestlé ice cream factory in Carthage were informed by a bulletin board notice that their factory had been sold to a consortium of local companies active in the food industry. "In conformity with its policy of social responsibility," the notice read, "Nestlé has expended all efforts to preserve jobs, the rights of the workers concerned, and maintain the production site."
November 30, 2009
Hungarian Meatworkers Union says Stop Nespressure!
The Congress of the Hungarian Meatworkers’ Union (HDSZ), which met in
November 09, 2009
Nespressure in Tunisia: Harassment and attacks on trade union rights
What happens when a new union committee is elected and its general secretary calls for a meeting with management to discuss pressing issues? Nestlé retaliates by transferring the union general secretary with immediate effect to a lower level job.
October 27, 2009
Nestlé Indonesia union leader in Switzerland
Eko Sumaryono, president of SBNIP, the union at the Nescafé factory in Panjang in Indonesia, met fellow trade unionists from the union UNIA in the towns of Orbe and Bern on 15-16 October 2009 while in Switzerland to attend an ILO event.
October 26, 2009
Nestlé, NestLies and ILO Convention 98
From October 12-15, the ILO's Bureau for Workers' Activities organized a symposium around the theme "Celebration of the 60th anniversary of Convention No. 98. The right to organize and collective bargaining in the twenty-first century." ILO Convention 98 (Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining), adopted in 1949, is one of the ILO's Core Conventions, i.e. fundamental treaties which are regarded as binding on all ILO member states whether they have been specifically ratified or not by governments. The Convention establishes in international law the rights of workers to organize trade unions and to bargain collectively with employers through these unions. Indonesia ratified Convention 98 in 1957. For over two-and-a-half years the SBNIP, the IUF's affiliate at the Nescafé factory in Panjang, Indonesia, has been attempting to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement which would include wages, and would include the wage scale in the agreement. Nestlé has rejected this demand, claiming that wages are a commercial secret and telling the union that it is Nestlé policy to exclude wages from collective bargaining.
October 24, 2009
Nespressure Mounts at Nescafé Indonesia - Act Now to Defend Trade Union Rights!
Nestlé's Corporate Business Principles "respect the right of employees to form representative organisations and to join – or not to join – trade unions, provided this right is freely exercised, and establish a constructive dialogue with these unions." Should employees need some guidance on this issue management is there to help. Business is good at the Nescafé factory in Panjang, Indonesia. Three-quarters of the output is exported to developed countries. The company is hiring. New hires are given two documents when they enter employment: the employment contract, and an application to join an organization called FKBNI, created and nurtured by the company to destroy the SBNIP, the union formed by workers.
October 23, 2009
Nestlé Hong Kong still refuses union recognition, steps up casual hiring
Eight months after strike action against union-busting forced Nestlé Hong Kong management to agree to union recognition and formal negotiations, the IUF-affiliated Hong Kong Nestlé Workers Union is still denied these basic
September 15, 2009
Norwegian Unions Call on Government to Review State Pension Fund Investment at Nestlé
Fellesforbundet and the NNN, the IUF's Norwegian affiliates with membership in the food sector, together with the national trade union center LO, have publicly called on the Finance Ministry to conduct an evaluation to determine whether the State Pension Fund's investment in Nestlé is compatible with the Fund's ethical investment guidelines.
August 31, 2009
Hong Kong Unions Say Stop Nespressure in Indonesia!
The Hong Kong national union center HKCTU took the struggle for union rights at Nestlé to the heart of central Hong Kong on August 27. Rallying outside the up-scale Nespresso boutique, the union members passed out leaflets describing Nestlé management's refusal to include wages in collective bargaining and absurd contention that wage scales for Nescafé workers are a "commercial secret". Banners and leaflets called on Nestlé to immediately start negotiating in good faith with the SBNIP at Panjang for a collective agreement that includes wages and the wage scale for all workers, to stop using the industrial courts to avoid genuine collective bargaining and to respect freedom of association.
August 10, 2009
Nespressure in Latin America: Fighting for union rights in Argentina and Ecuador
When a laboratory technician at Nestlé's water bottling plant in the province of Buenos Aires decided to join the union, management decided to set an example for other laboratory technicians who might follow suit and fired him. This happened on Friday, July 31. After attempts by the union to reason with the company had failed, the workforce staged a walk-out on Monday bringing the plant to a standstill for almost 2 full days.
July 23, 2009
Nestle Korea Labor Union Rallies in Solidarity with Indonesian Nescafé Workers
The Nestlé Korea Labour Union (NKLU) held a spirited rally on July 16 at the Nestlé factory in Cheongju to show solidarity with the long struggle for union rights waged by the SBNIP in Panjang, Indonesia. Union members expressed "outrage" at Nestlé Indonesia management's anti-union campaign and refusal over two years to concede that wages are to be negotiated through collective bargaining, not dictated by the company. The NKLU demands immediate negotiations and an end to Nespressure.
July 22, 2009
Nespressure: the bitter taste for Nescafe workers at Nestlé Indonesia
July 15, 2009
Unions Rally in Jakarta, Call on Nestlé to Respect Rights and Negotiate Now!
Following on the solidarity visit to Indonesia by the IUF-affiliated Food Industry Employees Union (FIEU) of Malaysia, the Nestlé Indonesia Panjang Workers Union SBNIP at Nestlé's Nescafé factory in Panjang continues to mobilize support for its struggle. A union delegation from Panjang travelled the 200 kilometers to Jakarta on the early morning of July 13 for rallies at the Nestlй head office.
July 14, 2009
UNIA and IUF demand global rights for Nestlé workers world-wide
The IUF and the Swiss union UNIA organised a joint press conference in the Swiss capital of Bern on 10 June to launch the "Stop Nespressure" campaign in Switzerland and call on Nestlй to Stop the Nespressure and respect fundamental trade union rights!
June 24, 2009
“STOP Nespressure and negotiate now!”, Malaysian Food Workers tell Nestlé Indonesia
A solidarity visit to Indonesia by ten trade unionists from the IUF-affiliated Food Industry Employees Union (FIEU) in Malaysia once again exposed Nestlé Indonesia management’s refusal to respect trade union rights at its Nescafé factory in Panjang as ‘discriminatory, irrational and unfair’. The visit culminated in a protest action in front of the Nestle Panjang factory.
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