Employees at a Major Scotch Whisky Producer Just Voted to Go on Strike Over Company’s ‘Unacceptable’ Refusal to Raise Pay
A photo of the new Chivas distillery being built from the ground up in Islay. $76 million was allocated to the project. (Photo: Chivas Brothers)
On Tuesday, the Strathspey & Badenoch Herald reported that employees at Chivas Brothers voted and members of the GMB Scotland union voted on a strike order after pay talks with the whisky mega-brand failed.
Talks of a potential strike began in October, when the union was denied a 6.4% pay hike to live comfortably during a climate riddled with skyrocketing inflation.
Chivas Brothers is behind brands like Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, The Glenlivet and Royal Salute.
One of the leaders of GMB Scotland, David Hume, expressed the reasons why those within the union were going on strike.
“After a year when household bills rose again and again our members have made clear they will not accept a pay rise that is, in reality, a pay cut,” Hume explained. “It would be unacceptable at any time but the company’s owners celebrating some of the highest-ever sales only add insult to injury.”
Chivas is facing two weeks’ notice before the walkout, months after an increase in sales. On Nov. 13, the brand announced the opening of a luxury whisky retreat in the Scottish countryside for visitors to book for £9,600 ($11,785).
According to the Strathspey & Badenoch Herald, Chivas reported a 17% increase in net sales and total sales reaching a 10-year high.
The Spirits Business reports that the strike action should not have any effect on the holiday season, as a spokesperson from the Chivas brand said: “Our end-of-year orders have already shipped, we are confident this ballot result will have no impact on the festive season.”
“We remain committed to our proposal and open to continued dialogue to see this matter reach a resolution,” the spokesperson concluded.
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