Summer supplies of Irn-Bru as workers threaten to strike

Supplies of Irn-Bru could be hit this summer after most workers at A.G Barr’s Cumbernauld production and distribution centre backed strike action.

Around a dozen trucker and shunter drivers at the company’s Cumbernauld production and distribution centre backed strike action by 83 per cent. Unite, the union representing the workers, stated that it would issue an update on prospective strike action dates in due course after rejecting a pay increase of 5 per cent, with the union saying that represented a real-terms cut of 6.3 per cent due to the rate of inflation.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham, stated that the company has £52.9 million sitting in the bank, yet management are refusing to share this massive money pot with their workers. We will back our members all the way in their fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.”

Andy Brown, Unite industrial officer said: “Unite’s members emphatically backed strike action due to A.G. Barr’s tight-fistedness. What’s currently on the table is really taking the fizz. It’s totally unacceptable because the company is cash rich. We remain open to resolving this dispute through negotiation but unless there is a significant improvement in the pay offer strike action is on the cards.”

A spokesperson from AG Barr said, “We’re disappointed in today’s decision by a small number of our drivers to take industrial action. We made an offer which we believe is fair and competitive to our HGV1 drivers.  It is also in line with what has been agreed with our other employees and we believe we have a responsibility to be fair to everyone.

“We have contingency plans in place to maintain customer service and we will continue to work with Unite representatives to find a positive and constructive resolution.”