Ben & Jerry's alleges parent company Unilever removed its CEO over social activism

In a national tribunal filing precocious Tuesday, Ben & Jerry’s said Unilever informed its committee connected March 3 that it was removing and replacing Ben & Jerry’s CEO David Stever. Ben & Jerry’s said that violated its merger statement with Unilever, which states that immoderate decisions regarding a CEO’s removal indispensable travel aft a consultation with an advisory committee from Ben & Jerry’s board.

The Associated Press near a connection seeking remark with London-based Unilever connected Wednesday.

Unilever acquired Ben & Jerry’s successful 2000 for $326 million. At the time, Ben & Jerry’s said the concern would assistance the progressive Vermont-based crystal pick institution grow its societal mission.

But lately, the matrimony hasn’t been a blessed one. In 2021, Ben & Jerry's announced it would halt serving Israeli settlements successful the occupied West Bank and contested eastbound Jerusalem. The pursuing year, Unilever sold its Israeli concern to a section institution that said it would merchantability Ben & Jerry's nether its Hebrew and Arabic sanction passim Israel and the West Bank.

Last May, Unilever said it was readying to rotation disconnected its crystal pick concern — including Ben & Jerry's — by the extremity of 2025 arsenic portion of a larger restructuring. Unilever besides owns idiosyncratic hygiene brands similar Dove soap and nutrient brands similar Hellmann's mayonnaise.

But the acrimony continued. In November, Ben & Jerry's sued Unilever successful national tribunal successful New York, accusing it of silencing Ben & Jerry's statements successful enactment of Palestinians successful the Gaza war.

In its complaint, Ben & Jerry's said Unilever besides refused to fto the institution merchandise a societal media station that identified issues it believed would beryllium challenged during President Donald Trump's 2nd term, including minimum wages, cosmopolitan wellness care, termination and clime change.

Tuesday's filing was an amendment to that lawsuit.