Anheuser-Busch InBev’s UK division has said it hopes to reach a “mutually acceptable” way forward after staff at one of its breweries in the country voted in favour of strike action. Employees at Budweiser Brewing Group’s (BBG) site near Preston in the north of England are set to walk out from next month, after an offer of a 3% annual pay increase was rejected by union representatives. The industrial action is pencilled in to commence from 11 May, with 225 workers in total being instructed to down tools. A-B InBev brands produced at the Samlesbury site include Budweiser, Stella Artois, Becks and Boddingtons. The brewer has sought to calm concerns that the matter could result in a “summer beer drought” in the country. “We are hopeful that through a continued open dialogue, we can still reach a mutually acceptable way forward which will avoid industrial action,” a statement by BBG said. “The teams have plans in place to minimise the impact on customers.” The dispute relates to the rate of pay increase on offer for staff at the brewing facility, many of whom are members of the GMB trade union. “This industrial action is a result of Budweiser Brewing Group’s management making a frankly insulting pay offer,” said GMB organiser Stephen Boden. “They are choosing to ignore workers and put profit before people with this derisory pay offer. Workers are rightly angry and if this strike goes the distance Budweiser could face a summer beer drought. “But, it’s not too late for management to listen to workers and get back round the table with us to work out a fair deal.” Anheuser-Busch InBev Performance Trends 2017-21 – results data