More than 100 Unite members at the Johnnie Walker owner's key grain whisky plant in Levenmouth, Fife, voted for industrial action on 9 September after Unite the Union and GMB Scotland accused Diageo of failing to properly consult over potential job cuts at the site. The strike will run in successive waves from 28 September until 5:59am on 15 October, involving distillation and process controllers, distillery and machine operators, technicians, quality control analysts, process chemists and engineers.Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said the union had repeatedly told Diageo there was no justification for cutting jobs while the company continued to post substantial profits, and pledged full support for members at Cameronbridge in their fight over jobs, pay and conditions.
Unite estimates more than 70 roles are under review at the distillery, which employs around 200 people. Diageo, however, says the proposal would remove up to 10 roles from Cameronbridge's grain-distilling operation, two of which are currently vacant. The company says it is holding alternative roles open for affected staff and is confident jobs can be found elsewhere within the business. It attributes the changes to an expected drop in grain distillation over the next three years, framing them as necessary to protect the long-term competitiveness of the operation.
A Diageo spokesperson said the company was disappointed by the strike decision but described the reduction as necessary to maintain lower production volumes and safeguard the business's long-term competitiveness, adding that it remains committed to constructive engagement.
Unite says Diageo has given little explanation or detail about the proposed redundancies during consultation, and has raised concerns about worker safety and wellbeing given that no corresponding reduction in production volumes has been proposed.
Unite deputy Scottish secretary Dougie Maguire urged Diageo to reconsider before the strikes go ahead, warning that industrial action would disrupt supply chains for popular drinks and placing responsibility for any disruption on the company's management. GMB Scotland has separately accused Diageo of pushing through job cuts across its Scotch distilleries without adequate consultation.
The dispute comes amid a wider $1 billion restructuring drive launched by Diageo this year under chief executive Sir Dave Lewis, aimed at addressing falling revenue. The company has already cut its global workforce by at least 2,000 roles, including 305 jobs at its North American headquarters in New York.
