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Strike: Diageo’s Scotland ops could ‘grind to a halt’

Diageo workers at three Scottish plants have voted in favour of strike action following a dispute over pay.

Diageo’s Cambus Cooperage in Scotland

On 16 July, trade union Unite Scotland confirmed it would ballot its members who work across Diageo’s Scottish operations for strike action.

It comes after 95% of the firm’s Scottish workers rejected the drinks giant’s offer to increase pay by 2.5% following weeks of negotiations.

The Johnnie Walker owner then upped its pay offer to 2.8% through the “consolidation of product allowance”, which was deemed “insignificant” by the Scottish workers.

The ballot, which opened on 29 July, closed last Friday (16 August).

Diageo’s workers across the Leven, Cameronbridge and Shieldhall plants will now move forward with strike action, which is expected to take place from September to November.

Unite regional industrial officer Bob MacGregor said: “Unite has received a clear and strong mandate for industrial action from our membership in Diageo’s largest distilling and bottling plants in Scotland.

“The recent announcement in July of an increase in pre-tax profits to £4.2 billion alongside Diageo’s refusal to give a fair pay award has rightly infuriated the workers.

“Unite would urge Diageo to get back round the negotiating table with a new offer which fairly rewards its workers who have earned these massive profits for the company. If they do not, then Diageo’s operations will needlessly grind to a halt in the coming weeks.”

A spokesperson for Diageo said: “We have well-developed contingency plans in the event of industrial action but remain committed to seeking a resolution and ensuring our employees receive an increase on their pay, alongside maintaining the competitiveness of our operations.

“We are a very good employer and aim to ensure our staff are rewarded competitively; our pay and benefits for our bargaining group employees are in the top quartile for manufacturing in Scotland.”

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