Union warns supplies of whisky could be disrupted as workers vote to strike

Around 800 employees of Chivas Brothers are set to walk out of work in the weeks running up to Christmas.

GMB Scotland has warned the planned action could disrupt whisky orders to retailers, hotels and public houses (David Cheskin/PA) (PA Archive)

Employees of a Scottish whisky maker are set to strike next month in a move a union has warned could affect supplies to shops and bars over the festive period.

Around 800 members of GMB Scotland and Unite working for Chivas Brothers will walk out of work in the weeks running up to Christmas after a formal ballot over a pay dispute.

GMB Scotland has warned the planned action could disrupt orders to retailers, hotels and public houses over the holidays.

The action comes after Chivas Brothers, the producer of global brands including Chivas Regal, Glenlivet, Ballantine’s and Royal Salute, allegedly refused to revise a previous pay rise offer of 6.4%.

Huge profits are built on the shoulders of our members and they deserve to be paid fairly and receive an offer that recognises the value of their work

David Hume, GMB Scotland organiser

The union announced results of the strike ballot on Tuesday, with 89% supporting action after an earlier consultative vote also revealed high levels of support for strikes.

Meanwhile, Unite said 91% of its members also supported staging walkouts after previously rejecting the 6.4% pay offer by 97%.

David Hume, GMB Scotland organiser, said the vote demonstrated staff’s determination to secure a better offer at a time Chivas and French parent company Pernod Ricard are reporting “unprecedented sales” of its products.

He said: “After a year when household bills rose again and again, our members have made clear they will not accept a pay rise that is, in reality, a pay cut.

“It would be unacceptable at any time but the company’s owners celebrating some of the highest-ever sales only adds insult to injury.

“Huge profits are built on the shoulders of our members and they deserve to be paid fairly and receive an offer that recognises the value of their work.”

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Strike action at Chivas Brothers is inevitable unless the current pay offer is improved. Chivas made an eye-watering profit last year, and it can easily afford to offer our members a significantly better offer.

“Unite will back our Chivas Brothers members all the way in the fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.”

Chivas is believed to employ around 1,600 workers in Scotland, including at the Kilmalid bottling hall, in Dumbarton, Strathclyde Grain Distillery, Glenlivet Distillery and maturation sites and distilleries in Speyside, Clydebank and Ayrshire.

Chivas Brothers has been approached for comment.