Inver House workers to vote on strike action
GMB Scotland is balloting its members at Inver House Distillers, which operates five malt distilleries in the Highlands and Speyside, on industrial action.
Inver House’s distilleries comprise Balblair, Balmenach, Knockdhu, Old Pulteney and Speyburn.
The union claims managers at the Scotch business refused to reopen negotiations with workers after a 3% pay offer was rejected. It added that the firm also refused to engage with conciliation service Acas, with workers seeking a 4% deal.
A consultative ballot showed 94% support for a vote on industrial action if talks broke down.
David Hume, GMB Scotland organiser in the whisky industry, said: “Our members accepted below-inflation rises during the cost-of-living crisis and any pay offer must reflect that.
“With inflation rising again and household bills still high, our members are clear that a below inflation offer will not be accepted.
“In addition to pay, longstanding collective bargaining arrangements must be modernised to better reflect our membership among distillery, warehouse and security workers.
“The company has refused to seriously engage with either issue leaving our members with little choice but to vote on industrial action.”
The ballot opened yesterday (4 March) and will be live for three weeks.
A spokesperson for Inver House said: “We are disappointed that GMB Scotland has decided to ballot its members, who represent a small percentage of our Scottish workforce.
“All our employees have been given an annual pay rise that is in line with inflation, as we have consistently done in previous years, alongside an annual bonus paid in December. It is therefore a misrepresentation to state that this year’s figure is below inflation.
“Our business is committed to being a fair and supportive employer, and we take great pride in the strength of our teams and workplace communities across Scotland.”
Inver House is owned by InterBev, a subsidiary of ThaiBev. GMB Scotland claims the parent company recorded profits of £600 million (US$770.3m) last year.
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