A Cardiff pub manager has warned that pubs could run out of beer during Wales' rugby autumn internationals as delivery strikes look set to cause disruption. Nick Newman of Creoeso Pub group which runs some of the city's most popular bars including Retro, The Philharmonic and Brewhouse, said businesses "could run dry".
Nick who is also the manager of the Blue Bell pub on High Street in the city said told BBC Radio Wales Driver that the five day industrial action would be "tremendously disruptive". Drivers at GXO go on strike between 31 October and 4 November, with Wales facing New Zealand the following day.
GXO delivers around 40% of the UK's beer supplies. Speaking to the BBC Nick said: "There's no question about it, it's just a question of logistics - for the rugby kick off on the Saturday lots of businesses could run dry."
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He went on to say that stock piling would not be possible for businesses, due to city centre bars typically having smaller cellar capacities. He said: "Our businesses are by and large are quite small and compact, there are a few with large cellars but they're far and few between."
The strikes will have an impact on pubs supplied by major breweries, including Heineken and Stonegate. Nick is also part of the Cardiff Licenses forum which represents around 100 businesses. They said they are "worried" about the impact of the strikes.
Joe Clarke, Unite's national official for food drink and agriculture also told the broadcaster that pay negotiations had been in the works since February.
He said: "These members move 19 stone barrels of beer up and down cellars, as well as drive HGV vehicles - and their wages aren't on par with what you would expect with a HGV.
"Around 1,000 of our members nationally have had to contend with the gas and fuel which is 56% higher than a year ago even with the cap which is only until April, they've got 15% to pay more for food - and inflation at 12.5%."
Unite said workers had rejected a 5% pay offer and that GXO was demanding a reduction in sick pay. A spokesperson for GXO said the US-based logistics company's offer was significantly above 5%, did not impact sick pay. They said that unite's statement was inaccurate and that the "current proposal is for an average 9.2% increase and does not impact sick pay."
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