Wilbur Chocolate Company

Wilbur Chocolate is a manufacturer of chocolate treats and confections, known for its high-quality chocolate products.

CCI Score

-7.89

0.01% April 18

Latest Event

Concerns over supply chain ethics in chocolate industry

The article highlights significant challenges in ensuring ethical cocoa sourcing, focusing on the lack of transparency and labor abuses—including child labor—in the cocoa supply chain. These issues raise questions about the ethical practices of chocolate manufacturers like Wilbur Chocolate Company and their potential complicity in labor rights abuses.

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COLLABORATOR

Wilbur Chocolate Company is currently rated as a Collaborator.

-5 to -9 CCI Score

In this category, companies align with authoritarian practices mainly to avoid trouble or regulatory conflict. Their compliance is driven by self-preservation, resulting in minimal resistance even as they participate in oppressive systems.

Latest Events

MAR

26

2024

Concerns over supply chain ethics in chocolate industry
-31.47

The article highlights significant challenges in ensuring ethical cocoa sourcing, focusing on the lack of transparency and labor abuses—including child labor—in the cocoa supply chain. These issues raise questions about the ethical practices of chocolate manufacturers like Wilbur Chocolate Company and their potential complicity in labor rights abuses.
-40

Supply Chain Ethics

March 19

The article discusses widespread transparency issues in the cocoa supply chain, which can obscure unethical practices such as forced labor and child labor. Without clear oversight, companies risk being complicit in human rights abuses. Wilbur Chocolate, as a player in the industry, may face similar scrutiny if its supply chain practices are not transparent and rigorously managed.

Buying affordable ethical chocolate is almost impossible
-30

Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices

March 19

The report underscores serious labor issues in the cocoa industry, including cases of child labor and inadequate working conditions. Such labor rights challenges indicate a broader pattern within the industry, suggesting that companies, including Wilbur Chocolate, need to take significant steps to ensure humane labor practices throughout their supply chains.

Buying affordable ethical chocolate is almost impossible
MAR

14

2023

Ethical Cocoa Sourcing Spotlight
54.71

The article highlights industry efforts in ethical cocoa sourcing, underscoring the importance of responsible supply chain practices and improved labor rights within cocoa production, issues that are critical for companies like Wilbur Chocolate Company.
+70

Supply Chain Ethics

March 19

The article details significant initiatives within the cocoa industry to enhance transparency and sustainability in supply chain practices, addressing issues such as forced labor and environmental degradation. These efforts highlight the importance of ethical sourcing. For a chocolate manufacturer like Wilbur Chocolate, aligning with these practices is essential to avoid complicity in human rights abuses.

Special feature: Ethical cocoa sourcing under the spotlight
+65

Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices

March 19

The article emphasizes ongoing challenges in labor relations, highlighting the risks of child labor and low wages among cocoa farmers despite progress in some areas. This indicates that while initiatives are underway, there is still room for improvement in safeguarding workers’ rights, necessitating vigilance for companies involved in the cocoa supply chain.

Special feature: Ethical cocoa sourcing under the spotlight
APR

01

2021

Concerns Over Child Labor in Cocoa Supply Chains
-45.02

An article from the U.S. Department of Labor highlights systemic issues with child labor in cocoa production. As a major player in the chocolate manufacturing industry, Wilbur Chocolate Company may face significant scrutiny over its labor practices and supply chain ethics if proactive measures to combat child labor in its cocoa sourcing are not implemented.
-70

Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices

March 19

The report underscores the prevalence of child labor, a severe human rights violation, within the cocoa industry. This raises significant concerns regarding Wilbur Chocolate Company's labor relations and human rights practices, suggesting potential gaps in monitoring and ethical sourcing if the company is linked to these supply chains.

Child Labor in the Production of Cocoa
-65

Supply Chain Ethics

March 19

The systemic issues in the cocoa supply chain, particularly concerning ethical sourcing and the use of child labor, indicate potential shortcomings in supply chain ethics. For a chocolate manufacturer like Wilbur Chocolate Company, failure to rigorously monitor and enforce ethical sourcing standards can exacerbate its complicity in these human rights abuses.

Child Labor in the Production of Cocoa
SEP

11

2013

Wilbur Chocolate Labor Dispute and Product Contamination Incident
-12.53

At the Lititz plant, Wilbur Chocolate faced a dual crisis: foreign material contamination and sharp pay cuts for union workers amid a long-standing contract dispute. The severe reduction in wages for long-term, unionized workers reflects a disregard for labor rights and ethical business practices, fueling concerns over worker exploitation.
-40

Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices

March 19

The company's decision to implement sharp pay cuts amidst a protracted contract dispute underscores a neglect of labor rights and worker welfare. This action, combined with issues surrounding food safety during the contamination incident, points to a problematic approach in managing employee relations, thereby contributing to an environment that undermines ethical labor practices.

Glass in chocolate closes Wilbur
JUN

07

2013

FBI Investigation Uncovers Labor Disputes at Wilbur Chocolate Amid Contamination Scare
-12.20

An investigation following a glass contamination incident at Wilbur Chocolate revealed deep-rooted labor disputes, including pay cuts and ongoing union conflicts. The FBI’s involvement and subsequent heightened security measures at the plant have raised concerns over the company’s commitment to fair labor practices.
-40

Labor Relations and Human Rights Practices

March 19

The article highlights significant issues in labor relations at Wilbur Chocolate, including pay cuts for hourly workers, union disputes, and increased security measures that could be seen as suppressing workers' rights. These actions reflect a disregard for labor rights and ethical responsibility in business practices, contributing negatively to the company’s overall complicity in undermining worker empowerment.

FBI: How did glass get into chocolate?
JAN

01

2000

Wilbur Chocolate Political Contributions
-0.80

OpenSecrets data from the 2000 election cycle indicates that Wilbur Chocolate Company was associated with a $2,000 contribution record. While the amount is modest, this participation in political financing points to the company's involvement in funding political entities, which can indirectly support authoritarian practices.
-10

Political Contributions and Lobbying Efforts

March 19

The contribution record for Wilbur Chocolate Company, as noted by OpenSecrets, reflects a political donation of $2,000 during the 2000 cycle. Although the amount is not large, it still demonstrates the company's involvement in the political financing landscape. From an anti-fascist perspective, even modest donations can contribute to a network of corporate political influence that, over time, may bolster authoritarian policies. The lack of detailed transparency regarding the intent and recipients compounds concerns about corporate complicity in influencing political outcomes in favor of established power structures.

Rep. Joe Pitts - Pennsylvania District 16