Workers at Inver House Distillers in Scotland have initiated strike action following the rejection of a 3% pay offer. The strike, led by GMB Scotland, highlights ongoing tensions in the whisky industry regarding fair compensation and negotiation practices.
Key takeaways
- GMB members at Inver House Distillers voted overwhelmingly for strike action over a rejected pay offer.
- The union is demanding a 4% pay rise, citing the company’s substantial profits.
- Further industrial action is planned if negotiations do not resume.
Background of the strike
The strike action commenced on 10 April 2025, after GMB Scotland members voted in favour of industrial action in March. The decision followed the rejection of a 3% pay increase proposed by Inver House Distillers, which is owned by InterBev, a subsidiary of ThaiBev. The union claims that the company has refused to engage in further negotiations or to involve the conciliation service Acas.
In the ballot, 78% of GMB members supported the strike, with 87% backing action short of strikes. The turnout for the vote was 71%, indicating significant discontent among the workforce.
Details of the strike action
The strike is taking place at Inver House’s headquarters and maturation warehouse in Airdrie, Lanarkshire, as well as across its distilleries, which include Balblair, Balmenach, Knockdhu, Old Pulteney, and Speyburn. Although the union did not disclose the exact number of participants, an earlier statement from Inver House indicated that only 25 employees, or 8% of the workforce, had voted for industrial action.
David Hume, GMB Scotland organiser in the whisky industry, expressed frustration over the management’s handling of the situation. He stated, "Workers hoping for fair and transparent negotiations have been failed by a management treating them with disdain."
Management’s response
Inver House Distillers has not issued a detailed statement regarding the strike but referred to previous comments expressing disappointment over the decision to strike. The company maintains that its pay offer was fair and in line with inflation, accompanied by an annual bonus paid in December.
An Inver House spokesperson stated, "While we respect the rights of the individuals who voted in favour of this industrial strike action, we take great pride in being a fair and supportive employer."
Future implications
The GMB union has warned that if a resolution is not reached soon, more extensive and disruptive strike actions are planned for the coming month. Hume urged the management to engage in negotiations promptly, stating that the current strike should serve as a wake-up call for the company.
The situation at Inver House Distillers reflects broader issues within the whisky industry, where workers are increasingly vocal about their rights and compensation. With ThaiBev reporting profits of £600 million last year, the union argues that the workforce deserves a fairer share of the company’s success.
As the strike unfolds, the outcome will likely have significant implications for both the workers and the management at Inver House Distillers, as well as for the wider industry in Scotland.
Sources
- Inver House Distillers workers go on strike, The Spirits Business.
