Workers at a Fife bottling giant have been balloted today on possible strike action.
More than 1,000 workers across the country today received ballots on potentially downing tools at bottling plants and distilleries owned by drinks-giant Diageo.
GMB Scotland said their members had already rejected a 2.5% wage-increase offer after it emerged the company made an operating profit of £4 billion.
A further offer of 2.8 per cent, which was tabled at ACAS last week, was also rejected.
The ballot will close to members on Friday September 16, with union leaders saying a strike could take place as early as September.
The company has a number of sites in Kirkcaldy and Levenmouth, most notably its bottling plant at Banbeath and the distillery at Cameronbridge.
Industrial action would halt the manufacture of whisky and white sporits at Leven and Shieldhall.
GMB Scotland organiser Keir Greenaway said: “If whisky and spirits manufacturing has been good for the Scottish economy then it has been exceptional for Diageo.
“Last week’s pre-tax profit of well over £4billion is staggering and a £4.5 billion share buyback bounty means it’s boom time for the fat cat executives and investors.
“Much of Diageo’s credibility is built on the back of Scotland and our working class and rural communities that distil, mature, store and bottle their lucrative range of whiskies and white spirits.
“Why has the company low-balled these workers’ with pay offers that fail to tackle the cost of living? If any business can afford to ensure its pay regime tackles the cost of living then it’s Diageo.
“It would take just a meagre slice of these billions to bring forward a fresh pay offer that properly rewards the people who help to deliver these eye watering profits.
“It’s time Diageo got real on their workers’ pay and showed them the respect they deserve.”
Diageo was approached for comment.
