Unite warns A.G. Barr to improve derisory pay offer or face summer drought
Unite the union announced today (7 July) that its members employed by the world-renowned A.G. Barr have backed strike action in an escalating dispute over pay.
Supplies of Irn-Bru are now directly under threat this summer as around a dozen trucker and shunter drivers at the company’s Cumbernauld production and distribution centre backed strike action by 83 per cent.
Unite will accordingly update on prospective strike action dates in due course.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham, said:
“Summer supplies of Irn-Bru could fizzle out in a matter of weeks due to A.G. Barr’s derisory pay offer.
“The company has £52.9m 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 strike action ballot result follows the rejection of a 5 per cent pay offer.
The offer equates to a real-terms pay cut of 6.3 per cent, based on the current RPI rate of 11.3 per cent.
The popular multi-beverage business increased its revenue by 18.2 per cent to £317.6m for the year ended on 29 January 2023.
The company which produces popular brands such as Irn-Bru increased its adjusted profit before tax to £43.5m, and due to strong revenue generation, it reported a net cash position of £52.9m.
Andy Brown, Unite industrial officer said:
“Unite’s members emphatically backed strike action due to A.G. Barr’s tight-fistedness.
“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.”
