Retailers could face disruption to supplies of some major drinks brands as workers at Diageo’s Cameronbridge distillery prepare for strike action over proposed job cuts.
More than 100 members of Unite will begin industrial action on September 28, with different groups of workers set to strike on successive days through to 5.59am on October 15.
The affected workers include distillation and process controllers, distillery and machine operators, technicians, quality control analysts, process chemists and engineers.
Unite said on Thursday (Sept 17) that the targeted action is expected to bring production at Cameronbridge to a standstill. The site is Europe's largest grain distillery and employs around 200 people.
Jobs dispute
The dispute centres on Diageo's plans to cut hundreds of jobs across its Scottish operations as part of a wider global restructuring programme. Dozens of roles at Cameronbridge are reportedly under review.
Unite claims Diageo has failed to properly consult workers over the proposed redundancies and has provided limited detail on the plans.
The union has also raised concerns about worker safety and wellbeing, arguing that roles are being removed without a corresponding reduction in production at the distillery.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite has repeatedly warned Diageo that there is no justification for slashing hundreds of jobs across its operations when it is raking in hundreds of millions of profit. We are backing our members at Cameronbridge all the way in their fight for jobs, pay and conditions.”
Unite said Diageo employs around 3,000 people across its Scottish distilleries and bottling plants. According to the union, Diageo Scotland recorded an after-tax profit of £595m in 2025, compared with £736m in 2024.
For convenience retailers, the key concern will be whether prolonged industrial action affects the production and availability of branded drinks.
Cameronbridge produces grain spirit used across Diageo's portfolio, with the company's brands including Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Tanqueray and Guinness.
The strike action comes as retailers enter a particularly important period for drinks sales, with the autumn and Christmas trading seasons approaching.