Chivas strike on hold after revised pay offer

Next week’s strike action has been suspended across Chivas Brothers sites in Scotland as a new pay offer is considered by trade unions Unite and GMB.

More than 500 Unite members who work at Chivas Brothers were due to go on strike next week (11-14 December) after rejecting a 6.4% pay offer from the Scotch whisky producer.

However, Chivas Brothers has now made a new pay offer, which is being considered by Unite and GMB in a consultative ballot of their members.

Unite industrial officer Andy Brown said: “Unite has been in intense negotiations with Chivas Brothers since we announced our rolling programme of strike action.

“Following the latest round of talks we have agreed to put a new pay offer to our 500-strong Chivas Brothers membership for consideration.

“Unite has taken the decision to suspend all forthcoming industrial action until our membership has had the opportunity to vote on the merits of this new offer.”

In October, 97% of Unite members said they would reject the new salary, and in a following ballot – where 60% of the Unite’s membership took part – 91.2% of voters were shown to back the intended strike action.

Hundreds of GMB members, who work across 21 Chivas Brothers sites, were also due to go on strike on the same dates as Unite workers.

David Hume, GMB Scotland organiser, added: “It is regrettable that it took the threat of a strike to prompt this revised offer but we have now suspended the planned industrial action to allow our members to vote on the terms.”

Chivas Brothers, the Scotch whisky arm of Pernod Ricard, employs around 1,500 workers in Scotland. The company’s Scotch portfolio includes Chivas Regal, Aberlour, Ballantine’s, Royal Salute and The Glenlivet.

‘Constructive talks’ 

A spokesperson for Chivas Brothers said: “While the results of the official ballot are still pending, we are pleased that constructive talks have enabled us to re-engage with the unions on our original proposal, and reach a mutually agreeable position that avoids unnecessary strike action and limits the long-term impact of this dispute on our team.

“Our offer reflects our ongoing commitment to sharing our success throughout the company, while recognising the normalising business and economic environment for the year ahead.”

The company said this agreement means it can focus on its “main objective” of supplying whiskies to consumers globally.

Chivas Brothers previously said the potential strike would have “no impact” on year-end orders.