Diageo workers vote for industrial action

DRINKS giant Diageo is facing damaging industrial action after one of the two unions representing workers rejected a deal to end a dispute over pensions.

Members of the GMB union voted strongly in favour of the deal, but it was rejected by Unite members.

The dispute is over plans to move staff from a final salary pension scheme.

Both unions voted last month to take industrial action at Diageo sites.

Members of the GMB union, which has 1,200 members working with Diageo in Scotland, voted 3-1 in favour of accepting the deal. But Unite members rejected it by a margin of 62 per cent to 38 per cent.

Diageo, which is the world’s largest producer of Scotch whisky, said it awaited confirmation from Unite of its position.

The GMB union’s Scotland organiser, Louise Gilmour said: “After a long campaign our members have voted strongly to accept this deal which means they will continue to have a pension scheme that ranks among the very best in the UK private sector.

“We will now sit down with Diageo and talk about the future to ensure the interests of our members are at the very heart of this hugely profitable global company that is so vital to the Scottish economy.”

In a statement, the company said: “In the last decade we have invested an additional £1.1bn into the final salary scheme over and above our normal employer contributions.

“With the costs of this scheme escalating, it is simply no longer sustainable.”

Diageo runs 29 distilleries and two bottling plants. Brands include Johnnie Walker, Bells and Talisker.