TRANSNATIONAL food giant Nestle faces strike action over a decision to abolish its British workforce’s pension scheme.

General unions GMB and Unite accused the company yesterday of “bad faith” towards more than 7,600 workers based at 15 British centres and three in the Irish republic.

GMB national officer Stuart Fegan said employees would “wonder why a company such as Nestle generating significant profit here and in other world markets can justify such detrimental plans, particularly as these proposals directly affect those Nestle workers who manufacture the products that make Nestle the leading world food manufacturer.”

He said workers “will not accept these changes willingly,” warning: “Strike action, with all its consequences for Nestle’s corporate brand if these proposals are implemented, looms large across Nestle in the UK at present.”

Unite national officer Julia Long added: “Many loyal workers will feel led up the garden path and see these changes as an act of betrayal by Nestle.

“Five years ago, they agreed to pension changes in good faith on the understanding that their pension would be secure for the future.”