In a Tuesday night filing in Manhattan federal court, Ben ⁘ Jerry's said Unilever advised on March 3 that it was removing Stever without consulting directors because of his commitment to the ice cream maker's social mission and brand integrity, not because of concerns about his job performance.
It said Unilever chastised Stever in a January performance review for "repeatedly acquiescing" to Ben ⁘ Jerry's promotion of social goals, and has repeatedly warned personnel not to defy its efforts to "silence the social mission."
Ben ⁘ Jerry's also said Unilever's attacks on its social mission have reached "new levels of oppressiveness."
Stever was named chief executive in May 2023, having been with Ben ⁘ Jerry's since being hired as a tour guide in 1988. His current job status could not immediately be determined.
The new accusations came in Ben ⁘ Jerry's lawsuit seeking to stop Unilever's alleged efforts to dismantle its independent board and end its social activism.
They were included in a proposed amended complaint, which Ben ⁘ Jerry's needs court permission to file.
Ben ⁘ Jerry's has had a socially conscious mission since its 1978 founding by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield.
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