Inver House Distillers faces six-day strike
Workers at Inver House Distillers in Scotland will return to strike action next month for six days as part of a pay dispute.
One of the whisky industry’s biggest unions, GMB Scotland, balloted its members at Inver House Distillers for strike action in March over a pay dispute.
The vote followed the rejection of a 3% pay offer from the firm, which is owned by International Beverage, a subsidiary of ThaiBev. The union claimed at the time that Inver House Distillers refused to reopen negotiations or engage with conciliation service Acas.
After 78% of GMB members (who are seeking a 4% pay rise) voted for industrial action, workers went on strike on 10 April at Inver House’s headquarters and maturation warehouse at Airdrie, Lanarkshire, and across its distilleries in Scotland.
GMB announced it would ‘escalate’ industrial action with plans to host six days of strikes after pay talks broke down.
Warehousing and security staff at the company’s headquarters will walk out for four days from 2-5 June while Inver House colleagues across its five Highland distilleries will strike on 9-10 June.
GMB did not confirm how many workers are planning to take part in the six-day strike.
Inver House’s distilleries comprise Balblair, Balmenach, Knockdhu, Old Pulteney and Speyburn.
David Hume, GMB Scotland organiser in the drinks industry, said: “A one-day strike in April signalled the frustration of workers and the urgent need for serious negotiation to find a way forward.
“Those negotiations have not taken place, however, and the company has shown no willingness to begin them.
“Given the lack of transparent and good faith discussions, our members have no choice but to step up industrial action.
“The company must understand actions have consequences and the consequence of its refusal to engage is a workforce determined to ensure their voice is heard and a fair resolution found.”
The union is urging Inver House to “reopen negotiations on pay and review collective bargaining arrangements to reflect its membership among distillery, warehouse and security staff”.
The Spirits Business has approached Inver House Distillers for comment.
Earlier this week (19 May), International Beverage completed the build of six new warehouses at its Scottish headquarters, representing a £7 million (US$9.37m) investment.
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