Brits have been warned that they could face a "beer shortage" as hundreds of staff at the world's largest brewery are set to go on strike. Workers at the Budweiser Brewing Group's Lancashire site are walking out over a real terms pay cut which could result in a "lager drought" across the UK.
A strike could see the company facing a shortage of popular beverages such as Budweiser, Becks, Stella Artois and Boddingtons. In total, 225 union members working at the site, which is located in Samlesbury, near Preston, on a series of dates in June as the GMB union announced employees will strike over the cuts.
It will be the first time industrial action has taken place in its 50-year history.
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Stephen Boden, GMB Organiser, said: "The last thing these workers want to do is jeopardise beer supplies just as the hot weather kicks in. But they’ve been pushed into this by bosses essentially slashing their wages during a cost of living crisis.
"Do they really except loyal workers to swallow a real terms pay cut? Anyone fancying a pint Budweiser, Stella Artois, Becks, Boddingtons or Export Pale Ale strike could go thirsty this summer.
"But it’s not too late for bosses to listen to workers and offer a fair deal.” The Union stated that months of discussions had taken place with the brewer, tabling a full and final offer of three per cent increase for 2022 and three per cent for 2023 with increases in overtime rates.
However, GMB stated that the cost of living crises and inflation at 11.1 per cent means that the offer amounts to a massive pay cut in real terms. The owner of Budweiser, AB InBev has stayed silent throughout the ordeal and has not yet commented on how this will affect availability of the beers over summer.
The move also follows union members who started an overtime ban in May last year. Speaking at the time, Mr Boden said: "This industrial action is a result of Budweiser brewing group's management making a frankly insulting pay offer. They are choosing to ignore workers and put profit before people with this derisory pay offer."
A spokesperson from Budweiser Brewing Group previously said that the company was offering a competitive package "in the 90th percentile for total compensation - with benefits that include private medical cover and bonuses".
The spokesperson added: "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."
