Strike action imminent in dispute over Diageo pension cuts

Drinks manufacturer Diageo will be hit by strikes in the run up to Christmas after GMB Scotland members voted strongly for industrial action on Monday 21 November over cuts to their pensions.

Workers in Diageo’s Scottish operations, including bottling plants at Leven and Shieldhall and distilleries across the country voted for strike action by a majority of 63% and action short of strikes by a majority of 69.7% after a two week ballot.

Despite recent significant growth, Diageo is targeting savings of £30 million a year from its workers’ pensions by closing its ‘final salary’ scheme and also its ‘lifestyle’ plan to new entrants.

GMB Scotland organiser, Louise Gilmour, says, “Our members have sent a strong message to Diageo that the company needs to think again if it wants to avoid damaging strikes across Scotland. Diageo is happy to significantly increase executive pay in the wake of billions of pounds of profit but they won’t protect the pensions of the workforce who have contributed massively towards the success of the business.

“It’s a question of fairness and Diageo can clearly go further to protect the pensions of their workers.”