Workers at AG Barr’s production and distribution centre in Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire are set to strike which could see Irn-Bru supplies “dry up” in a few weeks’ time.
The Unite union said that its trucker and shunter drivers at the distribution centre are to stage nine 24-hour strikes that will start on 11 August and a continuous ban on overtime will commence on 8 August.
Workers rejected the 5% pay rise and the union said that due to inflation this equates to a “significant, real-terms pay cut.”
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham, 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 £52.9 million 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.”
An AG Barr spokesperson said, “We’re disappointed in the decision by around 10 of our Scottish based HGV1 drivers to take industrial action.
“We made an offer that we believe is fair and competitive – in line with what has been agreed with our other employees. 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 and Acas (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) to find a positive and constructive resolution.”
