Magnum ice cream workers in Ecuador organize new unions

Workers in Ecuador's ice cream sector are rebuilding their union strength following the separation of Unilever's ice cream business and the public listing of The Magnum Ice Cream Company in December 2025.

With Unilever's former ice cream operations having shifted to a new local subsidiary, Magnum ICC Ecuador S.A.S., the two unions that previously represented workers under Unilever ceased to exist. Rather than remain unorganized, workers moved quickly to rebuild.

With support from their federation, IUF-affiliate FESITRAE, and IUF's Latin America Regional Organization, Rel UITA, workers launched a determined effort to establish new unions.

"The two unions that existed in Unilever ceased to exist, so we saw the need to immediately constitute two other organizations," said César Fernando López of FESITRAE. "It has been a tremendous effort, but we are achieving it."

In February 2026, workers successfully completed the formation and statutory approval of the Sindicato General de los Trabajadores y Trabajadoras de la Empresa Magnum -ICC Ecuador S.A.S. (the General Union of Workers of Magnum ICC Ecuador S.A.S.) with formal recognition of its elected leadership by Ecuador's labour authorities currently pending.

Organizing efforts have also extended to the formation of a second union at Magnum's ice cream plant in Ecuador. Although slowed by administrative hurdles, authorities have now approved the union's documentation and notified the company.

"With this second union the delay has been greater, always for bureaucratic reasons," López explained. "However, the documentation for its constitution has now been approved."

Both unions are already looking ahead with plans to join the IUF.

For López, this move is crucial. "This will give them significant international reach," he said. "Knowing they will not be alone in this organizational effort gives them more confidence and strength."