Unite the union has confirmed that a strike action ballot will open on Wednesday (Aug 26), involving around 100 of its members at Diageo’s Cameronbridge distillery in Fife, Scotland, in dispute over job cuts and the company’s alleged failure to consult.
Diageo recently announced plans to cut hundreds of jobs across its operations in Scotland as part of wider global restructuring proposals aimed at reviving growth at the spirits giant after several years of weak performance. Cameronbridge is Europe’s largest grain distillery, employing around 200 people. It is estimated that over 70 roles are under review at the distillery.
Unite believes Diageo has failed to properly consult on the job cuts at Cameronbridge, and the company has provided no explanation and minimal detail on the proposed redundancies.
The union has raised further concerns over safety and wellbeing due to roles being cut with no proposed reduction in production at the distillery. The workers include production operators and cask handlers.
The ballot opens tomorrow and closes on 9th September, with strike action potentially beginning by mid-September.
Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, commented: “Diageo is treating its hard-working and loyal workforce in an appalling manner. The company is extremely wealthy, and there is simply no reason to slash jobs across its operations. If Diageo continue down this callous path, then they will be met with the full force of Unite.”
Diageo has around 3,000 employees based in distilleries and bottling plants across Scotland. In its latest registered accounts, Diageo Scotland recorded after tax profit of £595m for 2025, and £736m in 2024.
Dougie Orchardson, Unite industrial officer, added: “Diageo has failed to consult on the proposed cuts at Cameronbridge. The company is treating its workforce with contempt, and that is unacceptable.”
“There is no business case to slash jobs, and it will directly put our members’ safety and wellbeing at risk because Diageo plans to maintain the same level of production. We have no option but to ballot our members on strike action to stop these needless cuts.”