Ben & Jerry's Lawsuit Against Unilever Over CEO Dismissal

Ben & Jerry's has filed a lawsuit against its parent company, Unilever, over the alleged unlawful dismissal of CEO David Stever due to his support for the company's social mission. The ice cream brand claims Unilever's actions violated a 2000 merger agreement that requires consultation with Ben & Jerry’s board before removing its CEO. The tension arose from Ben & Jerry's outspoken political activism, including support for Palestinian rights and criticism of Israeli actions, which Unilever allegedly sought to suppress. This latest legal dispute marks a continuation of a long-standing conflict between the two companies over the brand's progressive values. Unilever has not publicly responded to the accusations, but Ben & Jerry's asserts that their social mission is integral to their brand identity and should be respected as per the merger terms. The conflict reflects broader tensions between corporate governance and activism within subsidiary companies.