Workers were balloted on strike action after the union rejected a 3% pay rise on behalf of its members. GMB accused Lanarkshire-based Inver House Distillers of refusing to reopen negotiations or engage with conciliation service Acas.
The ballot showed 78% of GMB members backed strikes, with 87% in favour of action short of strikes – based on a turnout of 71%.
‘Rock-solid mandate’
David Hume, GMB Scotland organiser in the whisky industry, said: “The result could not be clearer and this rock-solid mandate from our members should send the clearest possible message to management.
“They must reengage with negotiations, return to the table and find a fair resolution. If they do not, industrial action is now inevitable.”
GMB Scotland has urged 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.
‘Disappointed by this decision’
An Inver House Distillers spokesperson told Food Manufacture: “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%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, and operates five distilleries across the Highlands – Balblair, Balmemach, Knockdhu, Old Pulteney and Speyburn – as well as a maturation warehouse at its headquarters in Moffat, Airdrie, Lanarkshire.
Meanwhile, the Scotch Whisky industry is one of the UK’s most important export commodities, but recent figures from the Scotch Whisky Association show a drop on 2023 exports by value.
