Strike action at a Diageo site in Scotland has been shelved ahead of talks between the spirits giant and union officials.
Staff at Diageo’s Cameronbridge distillery started their action last month amid a dispute over jobs.
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Workers began strikes on 28 September, with further action scheduled for each day up to 15 October, with further walkouts on 19 and 22 October.
UK unions Unite and GMB have criticised Diageo’s plans for redundancies at the distillery in eastern Scotland. GMB has also said Diageo intends to cut 30 jobs at distilleries across the Scottish Highlands and Islands.
In a statement today (14 October), Unite said the strikes planned for tomorrow, next Monday and next Thursday had been “suspended” before talks at Acas, a UK public body that resolves employment disputes.
Regional officer Dougie Orchardson said: “As a gesture of goodwill and to facilitate talks between Unite, Diageo and Acas, we have agreed to suspend planned strike action this October.”
Action short of strikes, including an overtime ban, will continue while the negotiations take place, Unite said.
Diageo has said the redundancies at Cameronbridge would cover ten of the 72 staff engaged in “grain distilling” – but said only eight would be affected as two of the positions were vacant.
A spokesperson for the Johnnie Walker brand owner said today: “We have accepted the joint unions request to attend conciliation at Acas and welcome the decision to suspend strike action. We look forward to constructive dialogue with a view to reach a resolution.”
The spokesperson declined to comment on the proposals Diageo could table at Acas to end the dispute.
Just Drinks has approached the GMB union for comment.
The Cameronbridge distillery produces some of the company’s Scotch whiskies and other spirits brands like Smirnoff vodka and Gordon’s gin.
In August, the Guinness stout maker set out a plan to extract $1bn in savings from the business over the next three years.
The group’s latest annual report shows Diageo cut almost 2,000 roles in its last financial year as part of a move to reduce costs and boost its performance.
