Workers at two Ross-shire Whyte & Mackay distilleries set to start summer of strikes
Distillery workers at whisky giants Whyte & Mackay are set to strike within days after accusing bosses of disrespect and dirty tricks.
GMB Scotland confirmed the first strike at three Highland distilleries will take place on Monday, with 11 more days of action in July before a two-week walkout in August.
The industrial action comes after four out of five GMB members voted to strike at Dalmore and Invergordon distilleries as well as at Tamnavulin, in Speyside.
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A revised offer was last week rejected by 84 per cent of members in a ballot with 90 per cent turnout although the offer was accepted by staff at the company’s bottling and distribution sites in Grangemouth.
The union says distillery workers have been angered by subsequent media statements by Whyte & Mackay when a spokesman claimed only a small number of staff worked at the distilleries, so industrial action will have little impact.
Lesley-Ann MacAskill, GMB Scotland organiser in the Highlands, said: “The company’s public comments on this dispute have been noted by our members and will not be quickly forgotten or forgiven.
“The company’s rush to suggest distilleries are somehow less important than bottling and distribution operations was insulting and inflammatory.
“It should instead have been rushing to offer fair pay to our members, because without their skill and experience there would be nothing to bottle and nothing to distribute.
“The company must understand that such ill-considered and disrespectful comments today will have consequences tomorrow.
“It was a dirty trick and an obvious attempt to divide the workforce.
“That is both disappointing and self-defeating because it has only hardened our members’ determination to be paid fairly.
“Whyte & Mackay is making record profits and expanding operations but is still paying workers less than other companies across the industry.
“Managers should address that issue before rushing to write another press release.”
Whyte & Mackay, owned by Philippine-based Emperador, operates Dalmore distillery at Alness in Ross-shire, the Invergordon grain distillery nearby, Fettercairn in Kincardineshire, Tamnavulin in Speyside, and Jura on the Hebridean island.
