The Unite union has raised concerns over potential job losses stemming from Carlsberg’s £3.3 billion bid to acquire Britvic, the largest maker of branded still soft drinks in Britain. The Danish brewer has offered £13.15 per share for the London-listed company as part of its strategy to increase sales of non-alcoholic beverages and cater to a younger, more moderate generation of drinkers.
While Britvic’s board has recommended that shareholders accept the deal in a vote planned for 27 August, Unite has pushed back against plans to cut approximately 1 percent of jobs in the combined group, which would amount to about 345 positions out of the total workforce of 34,500. The union fears that most of these job losses will fall in the UK and has written to Britvic to express its concerns.
Carlsberg has pledged to “accelerate commercial and supply chain investments” at Britvic to support the company’s growth. However, Unite worries that “most of the synergies might be realised in the UK” and that the impact on operations could be “significant.” The union has also emphasised the importance of workers’ voices being heard during the post-merger review of the combined entity.
As part of the acquisition, Carlsberg has promised cash bonuses worth 175 percent of annual base salaries to Britvic’s chief executive and chief financial officer, with a total bonus pool of up to £16.5 million for additional awards for between 130 and 180 staff members. Unite has called for retention awards to be granted to all staff, stating that “workers must not be the ones to lose out as a result of this acquisition.”
Carlsberg has stated in its acquisition documents that any job cuts “will be subject to comprehensive planning and appropriate engagement with stakeholders,” including employees and their representative bodies. The company anticipates efforts to mitigate headcount reductions through natural attrition, the elimination of vacant roles, and alternative job opportunities, treating impacted individuals in a manner consistent with Carlsberg’s high standards, culture, and practices. Both Britvic and Carlsberg have declined to comment on the matter.
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