Union leaders have claimed that supplies of the popular Scottish drink Irn-Bru could “dry up” within weeks after workers employed by A.G. Barr announced dates for strikes over pay.
Earlier this month, 10 trucker and shunter drivers at the company’s Cumbernauld production and distribution centre backed strike action by 83%. The ballot result followed the rejection of a 5% pay offer from A.G. Barr that the Unite union claimed equated to a “real-terms pay cut” given the current high rate of inflation.
Unite confirmed yesterday that nine 24-hour strikes will take place between 11 August and 6 October, as well as a continuous ban on overtime beginning on 8 August.
Sharon Graham, the general secretary of Unite, said: “Supplies of Irn-Bru could dry up in a few weeks due to the key role our members carry out for A.G. Barr.
“The company is cash rich with £52.9m chilling in the bank. Yet, they are offering our members a significant real terms pay cut when they can easily afford to pay more. We will back our members all the way in their fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.”
Unite also claims that A.G. Barr had not improved its offer despite increasing its revenue by 18.2% to £317.6m in the last financial year.
A spokesperson for A.G. Barr said: “We are disappointed in the decision by about 10 of our Scottish based HGV1 drivers to take industrial action.
“We made an offer that we believe is fair and competitive – in line with what has been agreed with our other employees. We believe we have a responsibility to be fair to everyone.”
Meanwhile, the GMB Union claimed today that there could be a shortage of Tetley Tea bags as workers vote on strike action in a dispute over pay.
Almost 150 Tetley workers are being balloted for strike action, with the union claiming they have faced years of real terms pay cuts and “refuse to accept another”.
A majority of 88% of GMB Union members at Tata Consumer Products, in Teesside, turned down a pay deal from the company.
GMB will announce the results of the ballot on 3 August.
Laura Maughan, GMB Organiser, said: “Tetley workers have faced years of real terms pay cuts. Now, during a cost-of-living crisis, they have overwhelmingly refused to take another.
“GMB members are struggling to support their families, unable to escape from domestic abuse in some cases and are having to resort to food banks. All they’re asking for is fair pay for their skilled work.
“Their quality of life has been eroded over time, and it’s in Tata’s power to change this for the workers, their families and for the future of decent paid jobs in Teesside.”
