16 October 2023 , 13:41
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Workers at a Scottish whisky distiller, Chivas Brothers, are set to vote on strike action after pay talks broke down. The company, known for its Chivas Regal whisky brand, refused to revise a wage rise of 6.4% despite an increase in sales.
GMB Scotland organiser David Hume said the offer was unacceptable and it's "no surprise" it was turned down by workers."
He 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."
"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?" he questioned.
"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."
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Chivas Brothers employs about 1,600 workers across Scotland, including at the Kilmalid bottling plant in Dumbarton, Strathclyde Grain Distillery, Glenlivet Distillery and other maturation sites and distilleries in Speyside, Clydebank and Ayrshire.
GMB Scotland revealed that a whopping 97% of its members supported the strike action in the consultative ballot. Along with Unite, another union, GMB will officially ask its members for their votes.
The unions are planning to announce the vote for strike action just after the company reported a significant 17% increase in net sales, pushing the sales totals to a decade high. Chivas Brothers was approached for a comment.
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