Workers at drinks giant Diageo’s sites in Fife are to be balloted for strike action after a new pay offer was branded derisory by unions.
Unite the Union has confirmed it will move to ballot members for industrial action following the overwhelming rejection of a 2.5% pay increase made to the workforce across Scotland.
Around 95% of union members voted to knock back the company’s pay offer following weeks of negotiation.
Diageo, whose brands include Smirnoff, Bailey’s, Johnnie Walker and Guinness, has a number of sites in Kirkcaldy and Levenmouth, most notably its bottling plant at Banbeath and the distillery at Cameronbridge.
The company reported an operating profit of almost £4 billion in 2018 and has also submitted plans for a flagship whisky experience on Edinburgh’s Princes Street at a cost of £150 million.
Unite regional industrial officer Bob McGregor said: “Diageo appears willing to spend millions creating a whisky shop for Edinburgh’s tourists, while offering the workers who built the Diageo brands we all know and recognise, a paltry 2.5%.
“This offer is not only insulting, it’s disgusting given the profits made off the backs of hard working Unite members, who deserve a fairer share of the profits they generate for this hugely successful company.”
A Diageo spokesman said: “Annual wage negotiations have been taking place with both the GMB and Unite unions in Scotland.
“Following a consultative ballot of their members, the unions have rejected our offer, equal to an increase of 2.8% on overall benefit and pay packages for our employees.
“This offer is made in the context of maintaining a strong reward package and the need for our manufacturing operations to remain competitive.
“Unite have informed us that they now plan to progress to a ballot for industrial action and we remain open to continued talks to secure an acceptable resolution.”
