This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
News
Chivas whisky workers vote for strike action
Workers at Chivas Brothers’s Paisley and Kilmalid production sites have voted for strike action after pay talks collapsed.
Chivas Brothers’s Paisley site
Members of Scotland’s largest union, Unite, voted for strike action by 76.4% at the Paisley site and by 90.8% at the Kilmalid plant.
The ballot comes after talks between Chivas Brothers and the union at conciliation service ACAS to prevent a dispute failed.
No dates for strike action have been set, The Spirits Business understands.
“We believe our claim for a decent pay increase and harmonisation of pay between sites was both reasonable and affordable,” said Elaine Dougall, Unite regional coordinating officer.
“The fact that the company first refused to improve their initial offer, were then forced to talks at ACAS and then brought nothing new to the table shows what little respect they have for the rules of negotiation.
“We are also disappointed that the company has failed to recognise the contribution our members make towards the successful brand that Chivas is today, by awarding a pay increase that reflects that.
“We would remind Chivas that the door remains open for an eleventh hour reprieve from this action. We would say to Chivas management, come back to the table with an offer that is fair and reflects the hard work and commitment of our members and this action can be halted.”
A spokesperson from Chivas Brothers told The Spirits Business: “We’re disappointed that trade union members have taken the decision to strike. After a period of constructive and transparent negotiation with employee representatives, we have made several significant improvements and firmly believe our pay offer – which exceeds the rate of inflation in the UK – is fair and reasonable and ensures that our employees have a highly competitive salary and benefits package.”
Last year a Scottish council leader wrote to first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, expressing concern over Chivas Brothers’ plans to transfer operations from Paisley to Kilmalid.