Dewar’s workers to strike
Workers at John Dewar & Sons’ bottling plant in Glasgow will strike next week (5 May), with further action to follow if an agreement is not reached.
GMB Scotland held a ballot on industrial action after Dewar’s reportedly changed how holiday entitlement is counted, switching from calculating in days to hours. The union claims this means one day’s holiday is the equivalent of seven hours and 12 minutes.
The ballot had a 57% turn out, with 80% voting to back strikes if there is no agreement. Meanwhile, 88% were in favour of industrial action short of strikes.
Daniel Reid, GMB organiser, said the changes to holiday allowance were unfair, imposed without agreement and could mean workers losing holidays. He called on the Bacardi-owned company to halt the changes to allow more negotiations.
He said: “At every stage, our members have engaged constructively with the company on this proposal and accepted the suggested change from days to hours.
“What is unacceptable and unfair is suggesting a day’s holiday equals a working day when our members work shifts, when some days are longer than others.
“Our members’ holiday entitlement must reflect the reality of their working lives, not what is most convenient for a company spreadsheet. Workers risk losing holidays for no good reason and cannot be asked to accept the unacceptable.
“The resounding backing for industrial action to halt these changes is no surprise and we would urge the company to resume constructive dialogue to find another way forward.”
John Dewar & Sons, formed in 1846, was bought by multinational Bacardi for almost £2 billion in 1998 and is a key brand for the multinational drinks giant including Dewars, a best-selling whisky, and distilleries at Aberfeldy, Aultmore, Craigellachie, Royal Brackla, and Macduff.
The Spirits Business has contacted John Dewar & Sons and Bacardi for comment.
In 2024, GMB Scotland balloted its members over claims that Dewar’s had unfairly withheld a pay increase from 17 workers, however no strike action was taken.
Related news
Volcán CEO bets on UK as next big Tequila market
