Cameronbridge Distillery: Unions Suspend October Strike
Labor and Management Resume Talks with ACAS Mediation; Overtime Ban Remains in Place
Talks Resume as All-Out Strike Action Is Suspended
British trade unions Unite and GMB Scotland have announced the suspension of planned strike action at spirits giant Diageo's Cameronbridge distillery in Scotland. Having previously announced an escalation of industrial action on October 12, the unions decided to call off this month's scheduled full walkout after both sides agreed to resume negotiations.
As a vital whisky production hub in Scotland, Cameronbridge specializes in grain whisky production, supplying quality base spirits for blended scotch brands such as Johnnie Walker. Impacted by the dispute, the distillery has halted operations since September 27. Union members had undertaken rolling strikes since September 28, and following stalled talks with management, a four-day full membership strike had initially been scheduled for October 15, 19, and 22.
Further Reading: The Johnnie Walker Brand Story: From a Small Scottish Grocery to a Global Whisky Titan — Square Bottle, Slanted Label, and 200 Years of Keep Walking
Redundancy Dispute and Progress in Tripartite Mediation
The labor dispute stemmed from planned job cuts, with Unite criticizing Diageo for inadequate safety assessments concerning the redundancies. A total of 72 operators at the distillery were at risk of redundancy, with approximately 10 roles ultimately expected to be cut. It is understood that two of these positions are currently vacant, and affected employees can apply for redeployment to other vacancies within Diageo. Although the full-scale walkout has been called off, industrial action including an overtime ban will continue throughout the negotiation period.
Unite regional officer Dougie Orchardson stated that the union agreed to suspend October strike action in a gesture of goodwill to facilitate tripartite talks between the union, Diageo, and the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS). A Diageo spokesperson also stated that the group has accepted the union's request to take part in ACAS conciliation and welcomed the suspension of strikes, looking forward to constructive engagement to reach a resolution.
📅 Published: 2026-10-14
🔗 Source: The Spirits Business