Strike action averted at Strathisla Distillery in Keith as fresh pay deal agreed
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FESTIVE strike action across Chivas Brothers sites in Scotland has been averted after workers accepted a fresh two-year wage deal after a pay dispute.
Unite the union has confirmed that its 500-strong Chivas Brothers membership "overwhelmingly" accepted an improved pay offer over two years.
A rolling programme of 24 hour stoppages across various facilities was set to take place earlier this month including at Keith's Strathisla Distillery.
But the stoppages were postponed following the revised offer and the dispute is now over following the pay agreement.
The deal consists of a 6.4 per cent pay increase effective from July 1 next year along with a one-off £500 payment.
In year two, the pay increase will consist of the average inflation figure over the course of the year running until July 2024.
Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: “It was only down to the fact that our 500 strong membership at Chivas Brothers were prepared to fight and take strike action that the company came back to the negotiating table.
"The pay deal is another example of Unite delivering better jobs, pay and conditions for its members."
Unite is the main union at the company representing workers at the Kilmalid, Dalmuir, Beith, Strathclyde Grain and Strathisla distilleries, and Dumbuck warehouse facility among others.
Andy Brown, Unite industrial officer, said: “Unite has delivered a significant improvement to the pay packets of our Chivas Brothers membership.
"The new two-year deal will help them cope with the ongoing cost of living crisis.
“We are pleased that we have negotiated an offer which has been overwhelmingly accepted by the membership bringing the dispute to an end.”
Chivas produces Scotch whisky premier brands including Chivas Regal, Aberlour, Ballantine's, Royal Salute and The Glenlivet.
A Chivas spokesperson said: "We are pleased that following the latest ballot, employees covered by bargaining agreements have now voted to accept our revised proposal, which avoids unnecessary strike action.
"The new deal includes an acceptance of our original pay proposal and enhanced benefits, along with the security of a two-year agreement.
"We are looking forward to continuing to work closely with all our employees to deliver our main business objective, which is the continued supply of our world-renowned whiskies to consumers all over the world."
