A long-running industrial dispute at Chivas' Kilmalid site in Dumbarton appears to be over, after the company and unions agreed on a new pay harmonisation deal.

The agreed deal will see pay rates between workers at Kilmalid and the company's Paisley site harmonised by September this year, after the company was criticised during the dispute for "gross wage disparities" between staff at the two sites.

The dispute had seen workers go on strike after unions claimed a recent pay offer of a 1.9 per cent rise would still have left workers at the site up to £900 out of pocket.

Announcing the deal, Laurent Lacassagne, chairman and CEO at Chivas Brothers said: “Yesterday we met with union representatives at our Kilmalid site and are happy to confirm that we have reached an agreement whereby pay rates between Kilmalid and Paisley will be harmonised from September 2017.

“The decision follows a period of open and transparent negotiation over these past few weeks, and we’re happy that by working together we have achieved a successful resolution and that we now have a joint agreement on pay that will take us through to 2020.”

As told in the Reporter, the dispute followed plans confirmed last November that the company was seeking to close its operations base in Paisley, moving its staff and production to Dumbarton, with the full transfer of activities due to take place by the end of 2019.

The company currently employs around 460 staff at Kilmalid, and a further 600 staff in Paisley, with all permanent employees based there due to be transferred within the next three years.

Dumbarton and the Vale MSP Jackie Baillie said: “Well done to Chivas, the workers and trade unions at Kilmalid for getting back round the table with a better offer. I worked together with all parties and I am encouraged that they got back round the negotiating table and that the dispute has now been resolved.

"I am delighted that pay harmonisation has been brought forward from January 2018 to September 2017, ensuring the loyal and dedicated workforce in Dumbarton are paid the same as their colleagues in Paisley.”