WORKERS at a Scottish whisky distillery are set to strike after alleging “appalling” treatment from management, bringing production at the site to a “standstill”.
Around 100 staff members at Diageo's Cameronbridge distillery in Fife backed the strike, which will begin on September 28 and run until October 15 following a ballot by the union.
Successive days of action by distillation and process controllers, distillery and machine operators, technicians, quality control analysts, process chemists and engineers will be held each day throughout the three-week period.
It comes as Diageo unveiled plans to axe hundreds of jobs across its operations in Scotland as part of global restructuring proposals.
Cameronbridge, which dates back to 1824, is Europe's largest grain distillery and employs around 200 people.
Unite the union, which represents around 150,000 members in Scotland, said more than 70 roles are under review at the distillery.
Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham, said: “Unite has repeatedly warned Diageo that there is no justification for slashing hundreds of jobs across its operations when it is raking in hundreds of millions of profit.
“We are backing our members at Cameronbridge all the way in their fight for jobs, pay and conditions.”
The union has accused Diageo of failing to properly consult on the job cuts at Cameronbridge, claiming the company has provided “no explanation and minimal detail on the proposed redundancies”.
Union bosses have also raised further concerns over worker safety and wellbeing due to roles being cut with no proposed reduction in production at the distillery.
Unite deputy Scottish secretary Dougie Maguire said: “It really is last orders for Diageo.
“It has a final opportunity to step back from its callous cuts at Cameronbridge.
“If it fails to halt these self-destructive proposals, then strikes will bring production to a standstill.
“Industrial action will disrupt the supply of many people’s favourite drinks, but the blame for this will lie squarely with Diageo’s management.”
Diageo has around 3000 employees based in distilleries and bottling plants across Scotland. In its latest registered accounts, Diageo Scotland recorded after-tax profit of £595 million for 2025, and £736m in 2024.
A spokesperson for Diageo said: “We are disappointed by the decision to strike.
“The proposal to remove up to ten roles at Cameronbridge Distillery is necessary as we maintain reduced production volumes to protect the long-term competitiveness of our business. We remain committed to engaging constructively.”
