Scots have been warned that summer supplies of Irn-Bru could be ‘at risk’ as A.G Barr workers ballot to strike in a row over pay.
Around a dozen truckers and shunter drivers at the company’s Cumbernauld production and distribution centre are being asked to vote over possible industrial action.
Unite the union say their members have rejected a five per cent wage rise offer - which equates to a real-terms pay cut due to the cost-of-living crisis.
General Secretary Sharon Graham said: “Imagine a hot summer in Scotland and no supplies of Irn-Bru - Scotland’s other national drink - to quench raging Scottish thirsts.
“Well that’s exactly what’s on the horizon if the management of A.G. Barr don’t revise their current wage offer to Unite members. In reality what’s current is a brutal real terms pay cut.
“It is a cash rich company with £52.9m sitting in the bank, so they have the money to make a decent offer.
Andy Brown, Unite industrial officer added: “Unite’s members keep the Cumbernauld factory of A.G. Barr running smoothly. Without them it will undoubtedly have a big impact on production and distribution.
“It is the first potential dispute in the history of the Cumbernauld factory which goes to show how angry our members are at the pay offer on the table.
“We are demanding that A.G. Barr get back round the table and make our members a fair offer or else the supply of brands such as Irn-Bru could be hit by any strike action this summer.
“Our members can be assured that they will have Unite’s total support in this fight.”
A.G. Barr to date has not improved the offer despite the popular multi-beverage business increasing its revenue by 18.2 per cent to £317.6m for the year ended on 29 January 2023.
The company, which produces popular brands such as Irn-Bru, increased its adjusted profit before tax to £43.5m, and due to strong revenue generation, it reported a net cash position of £52.9m.
The ballot opens today (22 June) and closes on 6 July.
A spokesperson for AG Barr said: “Unfortunately, we have so far been unable to reach agreement and Unite, the recognised trade union, has indicated that they are balloting for industrial action.
“We have offered a deal which we believe is fair and competitive. 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.
“As well as this year’s pay offer, we gave the majority of our frontline workers, including our HGV1 drivers, two additional payments across the last year totalling £1,500, to support cost of living challenges.
“We will continue to engage with those involved with a view to finding a positive and constructive resolution, however we do have contingency plans in place to maintain customer service.”
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