Highland whisky distilleries - including Old Pulteney and Balblair - could be affected by industrial action
Workers at several whisky distilleries across the Highlands could go on strike following a pay dispute, an industry union has announced.
GMB Scotland, one of the biggest unions in the whisky industry, is balloting workers at Inver House Distillers – who own Old Pulteney in Wick, Balblair in Ross-shire and Balmenach in Strathspey among others – as managers refuse to reopen negotiations after a 3 per cent pay offer was rejected.
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According to the union, the Lanarkshire-based company also refused to engage with conciliation service Acas as workers seek a 4% deal.
A consultative ballot showed 94 per cent support for a vote on industrial action if talks broke down.
David Hume, GMB Scotland organiser in the whisky industry, said: “Our members accepted below inflation rises during the cost of living crisis and any pay offer must reflect that.
'With inflation rising again and household bills still high, our members are clear that a below inflation offer will not be accepted.
“In addition to pay, longstanding collective bargaining arrangements must be modernised to better reflect our membership among distillery, warehouse and security workers.
“The company has refused to seriously engage with either issue leaving our members with little choice but to vote on industrial action.”
The three-week ballot of GMB members on possible industrial action, including strikes, at Inver House opens today.
Inver House is owned by InterBev, a subsidiary of ThaiBev, one of the biggest drinks companies in south east Asia which recorded profits of £600m last year.
An InterBev group spokesperson said: “We are disappointed that GMB Scotland has decided to ballot its members, who represent a small percentage of our Scottish workforce.
“All our employees have been given an annual pay rise that is in line with inflation, as we have consistently done in previous years, alongside an annual bonus paid in December.
“It is therefore a misrepresentation to state that this year’s figure is below inflation.
“Our business is committed to being a fair and supportive employer, and we take great pride in the strength of our teams and workplace communities across Scotland.