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Diageo workers accept pay deal
GMB Scotland and Unite members have backed a 10.3% pay rise offered by Diageo.
An initial offer of 6.8% was ‘overwhelmingly’ rejected by GMB members.
Unite revealed the deal is split into two parts, with the first increase of 8% from July until January 2025, with an increase in real terms of around 2.3% in July next year.
David Hume, GMB Scotland organiser in the drinks industry, confirmed workers had voted to accept the revised offer after the ballot closed on Friday (6 September): “Diageo is a world-leading company and its success is built on our members’ skills, experience and commitment.
“It is absolutely right for that to be acknowledged in salary negotiations and that our members are paid fairly and share in the company’s success.
“The successful outcome to these negotiations came after constructive talks when management acknowledged the crucial role played by our members.”
More than 500 Unite members work at Diageo.
Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: “The Diageo deal secured by Unite is an excellent inflation-beating pay win. Unite will not rest in its goal to deliver better jobs, pay and conditions for all workers in bottling plants and distilleries across Scotland.”
Diageo operates 29 single malt distilleries and a grain distillery in Scotland, as well as the Johnnie Walker visitor centre in Princes Street, Edinburgh. Last year the firm revealed it had welcomed more than one million people to its visitor experiences in Scotland for the first time.
The drinks firm reported flat organic net sales for the year ending 30 June 2024, driven by a double-digit drop in the Latin American and Caribbean region.
There have been big changes in the executive suite at Diageo in the past 18 months, with a new chairman, chief executive and finance head.
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