Irn-Bru provides might ‘fizzle out’ as employees again strikes in pay row, union warns
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upplies of Irn-Bru might “fizzle out” this summer time after employees voted for strike motion in a dispute over pay, a union has warned.
Unite mentioned provides of AG Barr merchandise may very well be underneath risk after round a dozen trucker and shunter drivers based mostly within the firm’s centre in Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire, backed strike motion by 83%.
It comes after employees rejected a 5% wage rise, which Unite says equates to a real-terms pay minimize of 6.3% based mostly on the present retail worth index fee of 11.3%.
Unite mentioned it’ll give updates on potential strike motion dates sooner or later.
General secretary Sharon Graham mentioned: “Summer supplies of Irn-Bru could fizzle out in a matter of weeks due to AG Barr’s derisory pay offer.
“The company has £52.9 million 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.”
The union mentioned the comfortable drinks big noticed a rise in income of 18.2% for the yr to January 29.
It mentioned AG Barr additionally elevated its adjusted revenue earlier than tax to £43.5 million, reporting a internet money place of £52.9 million.
Unite industrial officer Andy Brown mentioned: “Unite’s members emphatically backed strike action due to AG Barr’s tight-fistedness.
We made an offer which we believe is fair and competitive
“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.”
An AG Barr spokesman mentioned: “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.”