A promotional roadshow by Cadbury owner Mondelez will leave a "bitter taste" in the mouths of many after the saga at its Dunedin factory, the E tu union says.
E tu industry co-ordinator Phil Knight said a many people were not "feeling the love" for Mondelez after it managed to "corrupt its own brand".
Mondelez launches a road trip tomorrow, in a bid to persuade Kiwis to create “real moments of connection and to enjoy chocolate with the people they love”.
“The road trip is an admission by Mondelez that their closure of Cadbury has left a sour taste in the mouths of many Kiwis, and that’s sure to have hit its bottom line,” Mr Knight said.
“New Zealanders were very angry about Mondelez closing the Dunedin factory and Cadbury World with the loss of hundreds of jobs.
“Kiwis connected with Cadbury and enjoyed the chocolate for 150 years. But that ended for many people when Mondelez closed a profitable business and moved production off shore."
The union expected New Zealanders to be "voting with their wallets" and sourcing their treats from companies which supported the local economy,” Mr Knight said.
“Whether or not the chocolate remains the same is up to the customer to decide. But you can’t change the fact that up to 500 people were laid off by Mondelez, which did very well out of this country.
“Indeed, corporate greed seems harder to satisfy than the most ardent chocoholic’s taste for confectionery. Cadbury may make a sweet product, but its actions have left a very bitter after-taste.”
