W
orkers at a Scottish whisky distiller will vote on strike motion after talks on pay collapsed.
Workers at Chivas Brothers, represented by GMB Scotland, have overwhelmingly backed industrial motion in consultative ballots and a proper vote is scheduled to happen.
Chivas Brothers is best-known for its Chivas Regal whisky model, but in addition produces Glenlivet, Ballantine’s and Royal Salute.
The firm beforehand refused to revise a wage rise of 6.4% to workers regardless of seeing a rise in gross sales.
It is not any shock our members have refused that provide and are united of their dedication to take the motion essential to safe a suggestion that pretty displays the worth of their work
GMB Scotland organiser David Hume mentioned the supply was unacceptable, stating it’s “no surprise” it was refused by staff.
He mentioned: “Our members are being asked to accept a pay rise that is below the rate of inflation while reading how the owners are celebrating some of the highest sales ever recorded.
“Sales of the whisky made in Scotland are booming around the world but the workers making it are told they must accept an effective pay cut in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis?
“It is no surprise our members have refused that offer and are united in their determination to take the action necessary to secure an offer that fairly reflects the value of their work.”
The firm employs about 1,600 staff throughout Scotland, together with on the Kilmalid bottling plant in Dumbarton, Strathclyde Grain Distillery, Glenlivet Distillery and different maturation websites and distilleries in Speyside, Clydebank and Ayrshire.
GMB Scotland mentioned 97% of its members backed strike motion within the consultative poll.
Alongside fellow union Unite , GMB will formally poll its members.
The unions will serve discover of the strike motion vote just some weeks after the corporate reported a 17% improve in web gross sales, taking gross sales totals to a 10-year-high.
Chivas Brothers was contacted for remark.