Unite said that workers at the company’s Belfast Brewery will be striking for eight days of strikes next month in a dispute over pay, which would impact on Christmas supplies of Guinness and Guinness zero.
The workers who are members of Unite, will begin strike action on Friday 5 December and walkouts will continue until the early hours of Saturday 13 December.
Around 90 workers are demanding a “substantial increase” in pay to close the pay gap with Diageo employees at the company’s site in Runcorn, England.
There is no beer production at Marshalls Road as it operates as a beer packaging site in Belfast.
Diageo said it has contingency plans in place to manage any potential impact at the can packaging site in Belfast.
In a statement Diageo said: “We are currently supplying more Guinness 0.0 to the GB market than ever before and look forward to serving consumers over the festive period.
“While we are disappointed by the outcome of the ballot for industrial action at our can packaging site in Belfast, we strongly believe that continued engagement is the best way of securing a resolution that recognises employees for their valued contribution, while ensuring the long-term competitiveness of the site.”
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham added: “Diageo is one of the largest and most profitable drinks companies in the world. It can fully afford to make workers a decent offer.”
