Whisky workers at Strathspey distillery out on strike for better pay rise
Whisky workers are on strike today at a distillery in the strath after pay talks broke down.
GMB Scotland, one of the biggest unions in the whisky industry, said the strike at Inver House Distillers had the overwhelming support of workers after rejection of three per cent pay offer.
The ballot came after workers accused the Lanarkshire-based company, with distilleries across the Highlands including Balmenach by Cromdale, of refusing to reopen negotiations or engage with conciliation service Acas.
David Hume, GMB Scotland organiser in the whisky industry, said: “Workers hoping for fair and transparent negotiations on pay have been failed by a management treating them with disdain.
“Whether they have been asleep at the wheel and stumbled into this dispute or are wilfully refusing to engage, the action today must be a wake up call.
“The skilled workforce at Inver House deserves far better than a high-handed, dismissive response from a company built on their effort and commitment.
“Managers must engage and engage quickly or the strike today will only be the start of far more prolonged and disruptive industrial action.”
“They must reengage with negotiations, return to the table and find a fair resolution.”
The distilleries run on small staffs usually below ten workers. The only picket today is at Airdrie.
Mr Hume added: “Our members in all five of the company’s distilleries in the Highlands, including Balmenach, have been asked to join the strike today and are supporting the industrial action.”
The ballot showed 78% of GMB members, who are seeking a 4% rise, voting in the ballot backed strikes with even more (87%) backing action short of strikes. The turnout was 71%.
GMB Scotland is urging the company to reopen negotiations on pay and a review of longstanding collective bargaining arrangements necessary to reflect its membership among distillery, warehouse and security workers.
The Strathy has contacted the union to ask how many workers at Balmenach are taking industrial action.
An Inver House spokesperson referred the Strathy to its earlier statement: “We are disappointed by this decision. ]
“We have been fair in our approach to negotiations and would reiterate that this year's pay rise was in line with inflation, as it is every year, and was accompanied by an annual bonus paid in December.
“Whilst we respect the rights of the individuals who voted in favour for this industrial strike action – 25 people across six sites, which equates to 8 per cent of our workforce - we take great pride in being a fair and supportive employer, and in the strength of our teams and workplace communities across Scotland.”
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 - the others being Balblair, Knockdhu, Old Pulteney and Speyburn, as well as a maturation warehouse at its headquarters in Moffat, Airdrie, Lanarkshire.
