Chivas staff set to strike in row over wages

WORKERS at whisky distillers Chivas are to stage a one-day strike over apparent wage disparities.

Unite the union say some staff at the Kilmalid site in Dumbarton are paid £900 less than workers doing the same job at the Paisley site.

In November last year Chivas announced that Paisley is to close and work will be trans- ferred to the other site.

Unite say the company has reneged on a pledge to harmonise pay and conditions cross the two sites as early as possible.

The union has now served notice on Chivas Kilmalid, for industrial action which will take place on August 7.

This is, in addition, to the continuous ban on overtime which began on July 19.

Elaine Dougall, Unite regional coordinating officer, said: “The gross disparities between workers at Chivas just miles apart doing the same job of up to £900 is scandalous.

“This is an equal pay issue and one which the company must resolve immediately before workers transfer over to the Kilmalid site.”

“Unite wishes to state that we are willing at this late stage to engage positively with ACAS in order to prevent industrial action.

“However, Chivas must do the honourable thing by paying workers the same rate for the job without further delays and work with us to get this dispute settled.”

The Evening Times contacted the media organisation representing Chivas Brothers for comment but the company did not respond.