Home » UK Employment news » Scottish whisky staff to vote on strike action over pay row
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Workers at the Scottish whisky distiller Chivas Brothers have planned to vote on strike action after pay talks faltered.
The workers, who are represented by GMB Scotland, overwhelmingly supported industrial action in preliminary ballots.
A formal vote is set to take place shortly.
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Chivas Brothers is a notable producer of world-famous brands like Chivas Regal, Glenlivet, Ballantine’s, and Royal Salute.
Despite the company experiencing a surge in sales, it refused to improve on a proposed wage rise of 6.4 percent.
David Hume, GMB Scotland organiser, deemed the offer unacceptable.
He said workers' refusal of the offer is of “no surprise.”
He also added: “Our members are being asked to accept a pay rise that is below the rate of inflation while reading how the owners are celebrating some of the highest sales ever recorded.
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“Sales of the whisky made in Scotland are booming around the world but the workers making it are told they must accept an effective pay cut in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis?
“It is no surprise our members have refused that offer and are united in their determination to take the action necessary to secure an offer that fairly reflects the value of their work.”
Chivas Brothers employs approximately 1,600 people across Scotland.
It operates in the Kilmalid bottling plant in Dumbarton, Strathclyde Grain Distillery, and Glenlivet Distillery.
Moreover, it has several maturation sites and distilleries in Speyside, Clydebank, and Ayrshire.
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GMB Scotland said 97 percent of members voted in favour of a strike in the consultation ballot.
Alongside fellow union Unite, GMB will conduct a formal ballot among their members.
This decision to seek strike action came when the company reported a substantial 17 percent increase in net sales, reaching a ten-year high.
A company spokesperson said: “We believe our offer strikes the right balance between ensuring our salaries remain highly competitive and enabling us to build a successful and sustainable future, for the long-term – as evidenced by our recent investments in distillery expansions and decarbonisation, site safety and our communities across Scotland.”
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