French workers bring world’s largest Nutella factory to a standstill

A French plant that produces a quarter of the world’s supply of Nutella has been brought to a halt as workers strike over salary negotiations, The Associated Press reported.  

Members of the Workers Force union have been barring trucks from entering or leaving the factory in Villers-Ecalles, Normandy, for a week, according to the AP. The plant produces 600,000 jars of the chocolate and hazelnut spread every day.

{mosads}

On Monday, Nutella owner Ferrero, an Italian-owned company, threatened fines for workers involved in the demonstration. These could be as much as 1,000 euros per hour per person, according to an internal memo, The Guardian reported.

Ferrero said it wants to defend the workers who are not striking, but it will not reopen a dialogue until the strike has come to a halt.

“The priority of the management of the factory is to protect those staff who are not striking and who are the majority and want to continue to work in good conditions,” managers of Ferrero in France said in a statement, The Guardian reported.

Workers Force said 160 of the factory’s 350 workers were participating in the strike, which will also include walkouts. The organizers are demanding a 4.5 percent salary increase, a one-time 900-euro bonus and improved working conditions.

“It’s war, anger is mounting,” union organizer Fabien Lacabanne said in a statement.

A negotiation meeting is scheduled for June 13, according to the AP.