NEW YORK, March 18 (Reuters) – Unilever, the parent company of Ben & Jerry’s, has decided to remove Dave Stever as the ice cream maker’s CEO, intensifying the ongoing conflict over the subsidiary’s commitment to social policy issues.
In a legal filing on Tuesday night in Manhattan federal court, Ben & Jerry’s disclosed that Unilever informed the company on March 3 that it would dismiss Stever, citing his unwavering dedication to the brand’s social mission and integrity. The filing clarified that the decision was not based on Stever’s job performance but rather his alignment with the company’s social activism.
The filing also revealed that in a performance review in January, Unilever criticized Stever for “repeatedly acquiescing” to Ben & Jerry’s advocacy for social causes, and warned employees against defying Unilever’s efforts to “silence the social mission.” Ben & Jerry’s claims that Unilever’s actions against its social mission have become “oppressive.”
Notably, the ice cream company alleges that Unilever blocked its plans to honor Black History Month in February and recently prevented Ben & Jerry’s from publicly supporting the release of Mahmoud Khalil, a U.S. legal resident and pro-Palestinian activist who is facing deportation under the Trump administration.
Unilever has yet to respond to the accusations outside of business hours, and Ben & Jerry’s has not commented further.
Stever, who became CEO in May 2023, has been with Ben & Jerry’s since 1988, initially joining as a tour guide. His current status remains unclear.
The legal filing is part of a broader lawsuit in which Ben & Jerry’s seeks to halt Unilever’s alleged efforts to dismantle its independent board and curb its social activism. Ben & Jerry’s aims to file an amended complaint with the court’s permission.
Unilever had been set to respond to the earlier complaint by Wednesday, with Ben & Jerry’s arguing that the parent company is undermining its mission, which has been a hallmark of the brand since its founding in 1978. Unilever acquired the ice cream company in 2000.
Tensions between the two companies began in 2021 when Ben & Jerry’s stopped sales in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, a decision that led to the sale of its business in the region. Unilever’s broader strategy includes spinning off Ben & Jerry’s, Breyers, Magnum, and other ice cream brands later this year as part of a portfolio simplification.
As Ben & Jerry’s continues to champion socially conscious causes, it faces increased pressure from conservatives, including former President Donald Trump, who has sought to challenge corporate America’s liberal stances. Recently, Ben & Jerry’s accused Unilever of banning it from publicly criticizing Trump.
The ongoing legal battle is part of a larger shift in corporate practices, as companies reassess their involvement in social and political issues.
The case is Ben & Jerry’s Homemade Inc v. Unilever Plc et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 24-08641.
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