WORKERS at Chivas Brothers’ Kilmalid bottling plant in Dumbarton have voted in favour of strike action in a dispute over pay, union bosses have announced.

Members of the Unite and GMB trade unions working for the firm at Kilmalid and other sites across Scotland voted decisively in favour of both strike action and industrial action short of a strike.

The outcome of the ballot was announced as the Reporter went to press on Monday.
GMB officials now say industrial action could take place at the company’s sites across Scotland from as early as the last week in May, affecting all Chivas operations from distillation to bottling.

The union is angry that the Chivas parent company, Pernod Ricard, awarded pay rises to their workers in France for this year, but refused to lift a pay freeze implemented for its Scottish staff as a result of the pandemic.

GMB says Pernod Ricard announced sales of €1.96 billion in the three month period until March 31, with organic growth of 10 per cent expected for the rest of the year.

GMB Scotland organiser Keir Greenaway said: “GMB members have sent a clear message that they are prepared to take industrial action to secure better value for their hard work and sacrifice over the last 14 months, and the ball is back in the employer’s court to return with an improved offer.”

Elaine Dougall, Unite regional coordinating officer, said: “This result comes after months of trying to negotiate a fair pay award for the workers but throughout this whole time the company have barely moved an inch. 

" The offer which is tantamount to a pay freeze, despite the workers having continued to boost the profits of the company during the pandemic is disgraceful. Also, we have had the recent decision by the US to suspend tariffs on goods including single malt whiskies which is only good news for the industry.

"Unite is asking that Chivas Brothers use this result as an opportunity to make an improved offer or industrial action will take place in a matter of weeks just as the country is easing restrictions on access to pubs and restaurants.”

Chivas Brothers previously said it was “extremely disappointed” that GMB members had rejected offers including guaranteed pay increases in 2021 and 2022.

Chivas Brothers chairman and CEO Jean-Christophe Coutures said: "We are deeply disappointed that our union members have voted in favour of industrial action.

"We maintain that our proposal to our unions - which included guaranteed pay increases in 2021 and 2022 – is fair, and recognises the hard work of our teams whilst responsibly managing our business for the years ahead.

"Despite the result of this vote, we remain committed to seeking a resolution that focuses our collective efforts on achieving long-term business success, job security and growth."