Gulp! Now strikes could bring a beer drought this summer

BRITONS may face a beer shortage this summer when hundreds of staff at the world’s largest brewery go on strike.

Drinkers have been warned to expect a ‘lager drought’ over the next few months as workers making Budweiser, Stella Artois, Becks, Boddingtons and Export Pale Ale step up industrial action over a pay dispute.

The GMB union announced staff at the Budweiser Brewing Group’s Lancashire site have voted to down tools ten times next month, over a real terms pay cut.

A total of 225 of the union members working at BBG’s Samlesbury site, near Preston, will strike from Monday, June 6 – for the first time in its 50-year history.

Stephen Boden, of the GMB, said: ‘The last thing these workers want to do is jeopardise beer supplies just as the hot weather kicks in. But they’ve been pushed into this by bosses essentially slashing their wages during a cost of living crisis.

‘Anyone fancying a pint Budweiser, Stella Artois, Becks, Boddingtons or Export Pale Ale strike could go thirsty this summer.’ The GMB union said after months of discussion with the brewer they tabled a full and final offer of a 3 per cent increase for 2022 and 3 per cent for 2023 with rises in overtime rates. But it said with the cost of living crisis and inflation standing at 11.1 per cent, the offer amounts to a pay cut in real terms. AB InBev, which owns Budweiser, was contacted for comment. It has not responded to claims the action could have an effect on beer availability. The move follows union members at the brewery beginning an overtime ban in May. At the time, Mr Boden said it was ‘a result of Budweiser Brewing Group’s management making a frankly insulting pay offer. They are choosing to ignore workers and put profit before people with this derisory pay offer’. The Budweiser Brewing Group previously said that the company was offering a competitive package ‘with benefits that include private medical cover’.