Strike action called at Diageo's Cameronbridge plant
Workers at Diageo’s distillery in Leven have voted to strike over job losses.
GMB Scotland members at Cameronbridge distillery, owned by drinks giant Diageo, backed industrial action in a ballot result announced yesterday [Wednesday].
The union said 75 per cent of members at the distillery voted for industrial action on a turnout of 73 per cent.
Of the 72 distillery operators, 10 of them will lose their job at the plant as part of a huge global redundancy programme planned by the company.
Workers voted for industrial action at the distillery, which makes whisky, gin, and vodka, voted in support of strike action after accusing executives of failing to properly consult on the job losses.
Daniel Reid, GMB Scotland organiser, said: “The company may believe a consultation can only involve one voice, their own, but our members do not.
“There has been no genuine attempt to listen to their concerns about the impact of these proposals or proposals to ease that impact.
“The company came into these discussions with a plan already set in stone and no intention of seriously engaging with workers at risk of redundancy.
“The result of this ballot is no surprise and reflects the rising anger of our members and the urgent need for the company to return to talks prepared to engage with their concerns.”
The vote for strike action comes weeks after GMB members at Diago distilleries in the Highlands and islands where 38 jobs are at risk voiced concern over the lack of consultation.
Workers said there had been no serious attempt to engage with them over the redundancies and no agreement has been reached on the number of job losses or the process.
Sharon Graham, general secretary of the trade union Unite, said Diageo is “drinking in the last chance saloon”.
“Strikes will be announced in the coming days unless Diageo swiftly changes course,” she said.
“Diageo is raking in hundreds of millions of profit and there is no justification for slashing hundreds of jobs across its operations.”
The union has also raised further concerns over worker safety and wellbeing due to roles being cut with no proposed reduction in production at the distillery. Unite’s members include production operators and cask handlers.
Unite industrial officer Dougie Orchardson, added: “Diageo need to listen to its workers or the distillery will be brought to a standstill.
“Industrial action will inevitably result in supplies and shortages of many people’s favourite drinks.
“This is directly a result of Diageo planning to boost profits at the expense of its loyal workforce.”