Irn-Bru supplies could dry up after delivery drivers walk out today in a row over pay
- The 24-hour stoppage is the first of nine planned walkouts
A union has warned that Irn-Bru supplies could be disrupted as drivers walk out in a dispute over pay.
Trucker and shunter drivers represented by Unite took strike action on Friday at AG Barr’s production and distribution centre in Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire.
The 24-hour stoppage is the first of nine with the final one concluding on October 6.
A continuous ban on overtime also came into effect this week.
The strike comes after workers rejected a 5% wage rise, which Unite said equates to a ‘significant, real-terms pay cut’ due to inflation.
Andy Brown, Unite industrial officer, said: ‘Unite’s members have no option but to take strike action because AG Barr stubbornly refuses to give its loyal workforce a fair share of its sparkling profits.
AG Barr’s, which owns Irn-Bru, production and distribution centre in Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire
‘There is a steely determination among our members because 5% just doesn’t cut it.
‘The 24-hour strike action will be the first of nine stoppages over the coming weeks.
‘AG Barr’s stinginess has escalated this dispute when it could have been easily resolved with a fair pay offer.’
The Unite members at AG Barr, which makes Irn-Bru, previously backed strike action by 83%.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: ‘AG Barr can afford to pay its trucker and shunter drivers far more than the penny-pinching pay cut currently on offer. The drivers are absolutely essential to supplies, including Irn-Bru.
‘The company is cash rich with £52.9 million chilling in the bank. We will back our members all the way in their fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.’
An AG Barr spokesman said: ‘We’re disappointed in the decision by 11 of our Scottish-based HGV1 drivers, represented by Unite the union, to take industrial action.
Trucker and shunter drivers represented by Unite took strike action on Friday at AG Barr’s production and distribution centre
‘We made a pay 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.’
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