A warning has been issued that supplies of Irn-Bru could “fizzle out” this summer as workers have voted to strike in a row over pay.
Around a dozen A.G Barr trucker and shunter drivers at the company’s Cumbernauld distribution centre rejected a five per cent pay offer earlier this year.
Unite the union has today announced that their members have backed taking industrial action - with 83 per cent in support.
The dates of any potential strike action will be announced in due course while general secretary Sharon Graham has issued a stern warning to fizzy juice fans.
She said: “Summer supplies of Irn-Bru could fizzle out in a matter of weeks due to A.G. Barr’s derisory pay offer. The company has £52.9m sitting in the bank, yet management are refusing to share this massive money pot with their workers.
“We will back our members all the way in their fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.”
Andy Brown, Unite industrial officer added: “Unite’s members emphatically backed strike action due to A.G. Barr’s tight-fistedness. What’s currently on the table is really taking the fizz.
“It’s totally unacceptable because the company is cash rich. We remain open to resolving this dispute through negotiation but unless there is a significant improvement in the pay offer strike action is on the cards.”
The popular multi-beverage business increased its revenue by 18.2 per cent to £317.6m for the year ended on 29 January 2023.
The company increased its adjusted profit before tax to £43.5m, and due to strong revenue generation, it reported a net cash position of £52.9m.
A spokesperson from AG Barr told the Daily Record: “We’re disappointed in today’s decision by a small number of our drivers to take industrial action.
“We made an offer which we believe is fair and competitive to our HGV1 drivers. It is also in line with what has been agreed with our other employees and we believe we have a responsibility to be fair to everyone.
“We have contingency plans in place to maintain customer service and we will continue to work with Unite representatives to find a positive and constructive resolution.”
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