A union has warned that Irn-Bru supplies could be disrupted as drivers walk out in a dispute over pay.Trucker and shunter drivers represented by Unite took strike action on Friday at AG Barr’s production and distribution centre in Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire.The 24-hour stoppage is the first of nine with the final one concluding on October 6.
A continuous ban on overtime also came into effect this week.The strike comes after workers rejected a 5% wage rise, which Unite said equates to a “significant, real-terms pay cut” due to inflation.Andy Brown, Unite industrial officer, said: “Unite’s members have no option but to take strike action because AG Barr stubbornly refuses to give its loyal workforce a fair share of its sparkling profits.“There is a steely determination among our members because 5% just doesn’t cut it.
The 24-hour strike action will be the first of nine stoppages over the coming weeks.“AG Barr’s stinginess has escalated this dispute when it could have been easily resolved with a fair pay offer.”The Unite members at AG Barr, which makes Irn-Bru, previously backed strike action by 83%.Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “AG Barr can afford to pay its trucker and shunter drivers far more than the penny-pinching pay cut currently on offer.
The drivers are absolutely essential to supplies, including Irn-Bru.“The company is cash rich with £52.9 million chilling in the bank.
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