Budweiser workers could strike, threatening a ‘summer beer drought’

Hundreds of Budweiser employees in the UK could go on strike, threatening to create a shortage of some of the country’s most popular beers.

A total of 225 GMB members working at BBG’s Samlesbury site, near Preston, will start an overtime time ban, not engage in training or complete face to face handovers from May 11, trade union GMB Union said on Wednesday (27).

The site brews Budweiser, Stella Artois, Becks, Boddingtons and Export Pale Ale.  

According to GMB Union, the offer from the Budweiser Brewing group, the UK arm of Anheuser-Busch InBev (BUD), was a 3 percent increase for 2022 and 3 percent for 2023 with increases in overtime rates. But with UK inflation hitting 9 percent, the union says the pay raises will actually amount to an overall pay cut for the workers.

Members also support full strike action – which would be the first time. Strike dates are to be confirmed.  

“This industrial action is a result of Budweiser brewing groups management making a frankly insulting pay offer,” Stephen Boden, GMB Organiser, said.

“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. How can they expect hard working staff to accept a real terms pay cut? 

“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.”