‘In The Middle of a Cost-Of-Living Crisis?’ Whisky Strike Looms as Workers Say Their Requests for Increased Wages Have Been Rebuffed Despite Booming Sales

Scotch whisky producer Chivas Brothers may face a workers strike. (Photo: Press Association via AP Images)

A looming whisky strike might affect the scotch world after the Strathspey and Badenoch Herald reported on Monday that workers at Chivas Brothers are set to vote on a strike action after wage negotiations collapsed.

Members of the GMB trade union in Scotland expressed support for a strike, and the vote is set to take place after employees for a slew of scotch whisky brands under the Chivas Brothers parent company — including Chivas Regal, Ballantine’s and Royal Salute — said they were denied a raise. The union proposed a 6.4% pay hike in order to live comfortably amid skyrocketing inflation.

The union claims Chivas Brothers is more than capable of meeting its request, as whisky sales are at a “10-year-high,” according to Yahoo Finance.

“Our members are being asked to accept a pay rise that is below the rate of inflation while reading how the owners are celebrating some of the highest sales ever recorded,” stated GMB Scotland Organizer, David Hume according to the Strathspey and Badenoch Herald. “Sales of the whisky made in Scotland are booming around the world but the workers making it are told they must accept an effective pay cut in the middle of a cost of living crisis?”

The Strathspey and Badenoch Herald cited that 97% of the union members authorized a strike action, and the voting turnout is expected to be slightly shy of 100%.

On Tuesday, Chivas Brothers contacted Whiskey Raiders with the following statement:

“Chivas Brothers prides itself on being a longstanding Scottish employer, committed to its people and the communities it calls home. We have, and will continue to, reward our people competitively, while responsibly managing our business for the years ahead,” reps from Chivas Brothers said in a statement. “We firmly believe that our offer strikes the right balance between ensuring our salaries remain highly competitive in the context of a normalizing business environment, and enabling us to build a successful and sustainable future, for the long term — as evidenced by our recent investments in distillery expansions and decarbonization, site safety and our communities across Scotland.”

Chivas Brothers, the scotch arm of the spirits giant Pernod Ricard, made headlines in early October for allocating $76 million toward a new distillery in Islay.

2023 — The Year of the Strike

2023 appears to be a year of strikes.

In May, the Writers Guild of America went on strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers for 148 days. The strike was historic in that the Screen Actors Guild also struck against AMPTP.

The reason both unions struck primarily stemmed from issues with the streamers, the ability to earn a living wage, and the use of AI. The SAG strike continues to rage on and nears 100 days.

According to Rolling Stone, AMPTP returned to the negotiating table with SAG AFTRA on Wednesday, but ultimately no resolution was made. Ultimately, AMPTP made the final choice to leave the negotiating table, much to the chagrin of the union members.

“We’re not on billionaire’s retreats. We’re trying to feed our families,” working actor Jaimie Alexander told Rolling Stone.

In the whisky world, meanwhile, workers at a Diageo plant in Scotland went on strike in February in protest of shift changes.

The United Autoworkers voted on a strike initiative on Sept. 15, which is still ongoing.

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