UNITE the union has warned that Irn-Bru supplies could “dry up” as it announced its truck and shunter drivers will take strike action.
The drivers essential to the supply of the company’s products, including Irn-Bru, one of Scotland’s most popular drinks, will now strike in a series of 24-hour stoppages.
Nine days of strike action will start on August 11 with the final stoppage taking place on October 6.
A continuous ban on overtime will also begin on August 8.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Supplies of Irn-Bru could dry up in a few weeks due to the key role our members carry out for A.G. Barr.
“The company is cash rich with £52.9 million chilling in the bank. Yet, they are offering our members a significant real terms pay cut when they can easily afford to pay more.
“We will back our members all the way in their fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.”
The union said that A.G. Barr have so far refused to move beyond a 5% pay offer for 2023, which it says equates to a significant real terms pay cut.
Unite industrial officer Andy Brown said: “Despite our best efforts to resolve this dispute through negotiation, A.G. Barr has not moved beyond 5%.
“The only way it seems they will pay attention is if supplies of its popular products including Irn-Bru start to fizzle out which is exactly what is now on the cards.”
A spokesperson for AG Barr said: “We’re disappointed in the decision by around 10 of our Scottish based HGV1 drivers to take industrial action.
"We made an offer that we believe is fair and competitive - in line with what has been agreed with our other employees. 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 and ACAS to find a positive and constructive resolution.”
