Diageo workers to be balloted on strike action in pensions row

UNION: Drinks giant with three bases across Fife has been accused of making cuts to employees’ benefits

Workers at drinks giant Diageo are to be asked if they want to take industrial action in a dispute over pensions.

The GMB union has launched a consultative ballot among 1,500 members in Scotland, saying company proposals to close the final salary pension scheme would leave workers “considerably worse off”.

New starters will be placed on an inferior scheme, said the union.

The company employs in the region of 1,000 staff in Fife across three sites, at Leven, Kirkcaldy and Windygates.

The ballot will run for three weeks, with union members being asked what measures they are willing to take.

Liz Gordon, GMB regional officer, said: “Once again we see an employer happy to end its employees’ chance of a decent retirement while bloating its bosses’ bank balances.

“It’s only because of the hundreds of hard-working staff employed at Diageo that it has managed to generate financial successes, and now the company intends to reward their hard work with further cuts to their pensions.”

Workers at Diageo’s Scottish sites have been balloted over possible industrial action.