Unite the Union says that tonight’s protest has been called in response to the treatment of workers both before and during the ongoing sale process.
The dispute is centred around a reported lack of consultation of workers throughout the firm’s troubled search for new investment; its decision to abandon paying the real living wage in January 2024, as well as widespread bar closures, and the reduction of contracted hours.
“This sale is the result of years of mismanagement — prioritising private equity returns over workers and a sustainable business,” Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham said.
“You cannot talk about restructuring without recognising the real people whose rent, food bills and childcare depend on these jobs.”
Decisions which Unite says have left workers paying the price for decisions taken at the top of the business.
In the latest developments following the Scottish firm being putting up for sale, former CEO and co-founder James Watt has pledged £10 million of his personal money towards any potential rescue bids.
Watt is now reportedly working to secure financial backing from a series of external investors, with a view to purchasing the group and to stop it being potentially broken up to facilitate a sale.
Dennis Ellis, Aberdeen-based BrewDog worker added: “Yet again, workers across Brewdog have been left in the dark about what is happening with this sale. We found out at the same time as the press and have had one meeting with the CEO in which he said “there will be two weeks of uncertainty’ with no clarity about what happens thereafter.
“Our hours have been cut from 32 hours to 24 hours a week, despite being on full time contracts. That’s a loss of roughly £400 a month — during a cost-of-living crisis. This sale process - and the distinct lack of consultation from the company - simply deepens the insecurity workers have been living with.”
Brewdog has been contacted for comment.
