Unite has condemned the handling of BrewDog’s sale to Tilray after 484 workers were told they were losing their jobs, with 38 bars set to close across the UK.
According to the union, staff were informed during a hastily arranged conference call that the deal would result in immediate redundancies, with little warning and limited opportunity to ask questions.
Unite says the company and media were notified of the sale before employees were fully briefed.
General secretary Sharon Graham said:
“This is a devastating day for BrewDog workers.
“Nearly 500 lost livelihoods while yet another corporate deal is stitched together behind closed doors.
“BrewDog workers built this brand. They deserved respect. Instead, they were treated as disposable pawns.
“Unite will not rest until our members have legal and financial justice.”
Unite argues that employers have a legal duty to consult staff properly over redundancies and says a short notice conference call does not amount to meaningful consultation.
The union has called for urgent clarification on unpaid wages, transparency around the sale process and improved redundancy terms for affected staff.
Unite national lead for hospitality Bryan Simpson said:
“The way in which senior management have conducted themselves throughout this sales process has been nothing short of a national disgrace, with workers being given no information about the company’s plans or their futures.
“For the CEO to tell workers that they were redundant with immediate effect, on a conference call with only 25 minutes notice, has echoes of P&O and is deplorable.
“Unite will be ensuring that our members receive everything they are legally entitled to.”
The sale has been described as a rescue deal, but for hundreds of workers the immediate reality is uncertainty.
The company has yet to respond publicly to the union’s latest claims.
