Irn-Bru supplies could run low within weeks as maker AG Barr’s workers are set to go on strikes over pay, a union leader has said.
Unite confirmed that nine 24-hour strikes will take place between Aug 11 and Oct 6, as well as a continuous ban on overtime beginning on Aug 8. The strikes will involve 10 truck and shunter drivers, and will take place at the soft drink’s distribution centre in Cumbernauld, Dunbartonshire.
The industrial action was called after Unite members rejected a 5 per cent pay deal from the Scottish firm AG Barr. Earlier this month staff members backed strike action by 83 per cent, claiming that AG Barr had not improved its offer despite increasing its revenue by 18.2 per cent to £317.6m in the last financial year.
Sharon Graham, the general secretary of Unite, said: “Supplies of Irn-Bru could dry up in a few weeks due to the key role our members carry out for AG Barr.
“The company is cash rich with £52.9m chilling in the bank. Yet, they are offering our members a significant real terms pay cut when they can easily afford to pay more. We will back our members all the way in their fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.”
Andy Brown, Unite’s industrial officer said: “Despite our best efforts to resolve this dispute through negotiation, AG Barr has not moved beyond 5%. The only way it seems they will pay attention is if supplies of its popular products including Irn-Bru start to fizzle out, which is exactly what is now on the cards.”
AG Barr has described its pay offer as “fair and competitive”.
