Brits could be facing a 'beer drought' as temperatures soar across the UK this weekend. Budweiser workers at a Lancashire factory plan to stage a walk-out from today in a dispute over pay.
Workers are planning to strike for 36-hours over a three per cent pay offer. The GMB Union says staff at the Samlesbury site, which is where popular beers including Stella Artois, Budweiser, Boddingtons and Export Pale Ale are brewed, are suffering a massive real terms pay cut in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis.
Workers, who have already walked out several times in June over the pay dispute, will down tools for 36 hours from Saturday at 7pm until Monday at 7am - with a further 12-hour stoppage on Tuesday, July 19.
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Stephen Boden, GMB organiser, said: ‘’This strike is the last thing anyone wants - a beer drought in the middle of a heatwave is no one’s idea of fun. But our members are being taken for a ride and it’s not good enough.
‘’A massive real terms pay cut in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis is downright cruel. GMB has tried to negotiate with Budweiser repeatedly, but they’re not listening. Now they will have to deal with the consequences.”
Budweiser Brewing Group (BBG) said the impact on customers and supply would be minimised due to plans it put in place.
A spokesperson for BBG said: “Budweiser Brewing Group has a positive and long-standing relationship with the GMB, however despite open negotiations, the GMB have confirmed that industrial action is taking place at our Samlesbury brewery.
"Our people are our greatest strength, and as such we are proud to offer a competitive package – wages in the Brewery are in the top 10% for the region and a range of benefits are provided including private medical cover, wellbeing allowance, access to the Verhelst Foundation to support physical and mental wellbeing, a ‘perks at work’ programme, product vouchers, opportunities for scholarship funds and bonuses.
"We’ve made significant investments in Samlesbury which have resulted in further innovation and automation, additional skills development, promotions and many new job opportunities. Over recent years we have increased our headcount by over 65.
"We have a very dedicated and talented leadership team to support with the production of our much-loved beers and do not expect any beer shortages. We have implemented plans to ensure that supply has not been interrupted, including enhanced logistics measures and cooperation with transport partners to minimise the impact to customers and consumers.
"Whilst we have not yet reached an agreement, we continue to work toward a mutually acceptable solution.”
The Met Office has indicated that a new UK record temperature could be set early next week. Meteorologists gave an 80 per cent chance of the mercury topping the UK’s record temperature of 38.7C (101.7F) set in Cambridge in 2019, with the current heatwave set to peak on Tuesday.
Temperatures will climb over the weekend, and the Met Office has issued its first-ever red weather warning for extreme hit covering London, the Midlands and Manchester. There is a 50 per cent chance of temperatures reaching 40C somewhere in the UK, likely along the A1 corridor, according to forecasters.
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