Whisky workers escalate strikes after talks break down
Whisky workers launched a wave of walkouts today after talks on pay and recognition broke down.
GMB Scotland, one of the biggest unions in the whisky industry, said workers at Inver House Distillers were stepping up industrial action after overwhelmingly rejecting a 3% pay offer.
Warehousing and security staff at the company’s head office near Airdrie, Lanarkshire, began four days of strikes while colleagues across five Highland distilleries will strike for two days next week.
David Hume, GMB Scotland organiser in the drinks industry, said the failure of the company to engage with workers to resolve the dispute meant escalation was inevitable.
He said: “A one-day strike in April signalled the frustration of workers and the urgent need for serious negotiation to find a way forward.
“Those negotiations have not taken place, however, and the company has shown little willingness to begin them.
“Given the lack of transparent and good faith discussions, our members have no choice but to step up industrial action to win fair pay and union recognition.
“The company must understand actions have consequences and the consequence of its refusal to engage is a workforce determined to ensure their voice is heard and a fair resolution found.”
The escalation of industrial action was announced days after the company completed a £7m construction project to build six new bonded warehouses at the Airdrie site.
Hume said: “The investment is welcome but successful companies are founded on the work and commitment of staff not buildings and blueprints. It is time for that to be recognised by Inver House.”
The strikes come after a formal ballot showed 78% of GMB members, who are seeking a 4% rise, voting in the ballot backed strikes with 87% supporting action short of strike. The turnout was 71%.
GMB Scotland is urging the company to reopen negotiations on pay and review collective bargaining arrangements to reflect its membership among distillery, warehouse and security staff.
Inver House is owned by InterBev, a subsidiary of ThaiBev, one of the biggest drinks companies in south east Asia which recorded profits of £600m last year.
It has five distilleries across the Highlands, including Balblair, Balmenach, Knockdhu, Old Pulteney and Speyburn, as well as a maturation warehouse at its headquarters in Moffat, near Airdrie.
