Unite ‘actively’ exploring legal options amid claims workers could have been unlawfully induced to sign new contracts 

Engineering workers based at Diageo’s plant in Leven are set to resume strike action tonight (24 February) and over the weekend in an increasingly bitter pay dispute with the drinks industry giant.

The strike action will begin at 19:00 p.m. tonight and conclude on Monday (27 February) morning at 6 a.m. The strike action will directly impact on the engineering support for the bottling plant. Unite believes it is not safe to run the plant without the support its engineering members provide.

Unite can also confirm that it will hold another protest on Saturday (25 February) at The Johnnie Walker Experience in Edinburgh from 12 noon to 2.30 p.m.  

There will be a further protest on Sunday (26 February) outside the bottling plant in Levenfrom 12 noon to 2.30 p.m.

The protests are highlighting that some of Unite’s engineering members are set to lose around 6 per cent of their pay when moved to a proposed lower rate of pay.

The latest round of weekend strike action takes places amid claims that Diageo employees could have been unlawfully induced by the company to sign new contracts. Unite says that if these claims are substantiated then it would represent a significant escalation in the dispute at the Leven plant, and that it is now actively exploring all legal options.

Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham said: “Unite’s engineering members at Diageo’s Leven plant are absolutely resolute in taking this multi-billion company head on. The weekend strike action will resume. Diageo should be under no illusions that our members are utterly resolute about securing a deal in this dispute. Unite stands with our members in their fight against the stunning corporate greed at Diageo.”

In July 2022, Diageo reported operating profits were up by 18.2 per cent to £4.4bn, primarily driven by organic growth, with net sales up 21.4 per cent to £15.5bn. The company has an estimated 27,987 employees, which equates to a profit of around £157,000 being generated by every employee.

Diageo produces a number of high profile brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Buchanan’s and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Unite industrial officer Bob Macgregor added: “The behaviour by Diageo has been nothing less than shocking during this pay dispute. Let’s remember that we are dealing with one of the UK’s richest companies who could very easily resolve this dispute with their billion pound profits.

“Unite is now also exploring the possibility of progressing legal claims on behalf of our members for unlawful inducements in a development that threatens to significantly escalate matters. We have one simple message to Diageo: our members will not be intimidated and they are determined to fight on.” 

Unite has taken the whisky giant to task following the introduction of a lower rate of pay for new starters without consultation with unions. This issue has been ongoing and was first raised through the grievance process in 2019.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

The Johnnie Walker Experience, 145 Princes St, Edinburgh, EH2 4BL. 

Diageo Leven bottling plant, Banbeath Industrial Estate, Leven, KY8 5HD.

Full list of remaining strike action:

Commencing at 19:00 hours on 24th February 2023 and continuing up to 27th February 2023 when the action will conclude at 06:59 hours;

Commencing at 19:00 hours on 3rd March 2023 and continuing up to 6th March 2023 when the action will conclude at 06:59 hours;

Commencing at 19:00 hours on 10th March 2023 and continuing up to 13th March 2023 when the action will conclude at 06:59 hours;

Commencing at 19:00 hours on 17th March 2023 and continuing up to 20th March 2023 when the action will conclude at 06:59 hours;

Commencing at 19:00 hours on 24th March 2023 and continuing up to 27th March 2023 when the action will conclude at 06:59 hours;

Commencing at 19:00 hours on 31st March 2023 and continuing up to 3rd April 2023 when the action will conclude at 06:59 hours 

Unite Scotland is the country’s biggest and most diverse trade union with around 150,000 members. The union is led in Scotland by Pat Rafferty.

For media enquiries contact: Andrew Brady on 07810 157922 or [email protected]

Unite Scotland is the country’s biggest and most diverse trade union with around 150,000 members. The union is led in Scotland by Pat Rafferty.