According to Unite the Union, more than 100 members at the facility are planning to widen their existing strike action, which began on 28 September, with specific groups of workers scheduled to take industrial action until 15 October.
Successive days of action by distillation and process controllers, distillery and machine operators, technicians, quality control analysts, process chemists and engineers will take place throughout the three-week period.
Strike action involving all members will now be widened to include the additional dates of 12, 15, 19 and 22 October.
Unite said the escalation is in response to management “reiterating its threat to force through job cuts”.
The dispute centres on the drinks manufacturer’s plans to cut hundreds of jobs across its operations in Scotland, with dozens of roles under review at Cameronbridge, as part of wider global restructuring proposals.
Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary said: “Diageo’s behaviour toward its loyal and skilled workforce at Cameronbridge is disgraceful. It is making hundreds of millions of profit on the back of our members’ hard work.
“Its sole objective appears to be squeezing even more out of them, which is completely unacceptable. Our members will fight these unnecessary jobs cuts every step of the way.”
Over the last financial year, the Guinness and Smirnoff owner cut close to 2,000 roles as chief executive Dave Lewis continued to implement a wide-ranging cost-cutting plan.
Unite believes Diageo has failed to properly consult on the job cuts at Cameronbridge and that the company has provided no explanation and minimal detail on the proposed redundancies.
The union has also raised concerns over worker safety and wellbeing, claiming roles are being cut without any proposed reduction in production at the distillery.
Diageo has around 3,000 employees based at distilleries and bottling plants across Scotland. The Cameronbridge distillery is Europe’s largest grain distillery.
In its latest registered accounts, Diageo Scotland recorded an after-tax profit of £595 million in 2025, compared with £736 million in 2024.
The company produces a range of spirits and alcoholic drinks, including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Buchanan’s and Windsor whiskies; Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas; Captain Morgan rum; Baileys; Don Julio; Tanqueray; and Guinness.
Dougie Orchardson, Unite industrial officer added: “Unite members will significantly escalate their industrial action in response to Diageo’s arrogance and greed. The company has refused to properly engage with us. It has instead reaffirmed its disgraceful plan to push ahead with its job cuts.
“Diageo has brought further strike action on itself due to its actions. This will inevitably result in more disruption, which is already having a really significant impact on Diageo’s operations.”
