Storms Irn-Bru-ing: Strike action begins at the home of Scotland’s most loved beverage
Unite union members began strike action today over pay disputes with soft drinks company AG Barr.
Delivery drivers and staff employed by the Irn Bru manufacturer staged a picket line outside the Cumbernauld headquarters this morning.
The demonstration took place from 10:30am until 11:30am with the intention of returning next Friday if demands are not met.
‘Absolutely shocking’
The soft drinks supplier previously offered its workers a five percent pay rise which was rejected by the strikers.
This comes after the Irn Bru manufacture posted a pre-tax profit growth of 12.6 percent to £27.8million within the first six months of this year.
James McGinn is a Unite union representative: “It’s absolutely shocking that they should have to be out on strike.
“They don’t want to be out on strike and the tragedy of this is, AG Barr is a highly profitable company.
“This is a business that operates and loves their identity as a Scottish company and they’re doing this to Scottish based workers, to local Cumbernauld based workers.”
Since 1887 AG Barr has operated from its Glasgow headquarters and is one of the leading soft drink suppliers in the country.
Popular products include; Irn Bru, Barr’s Cream Soda and Rubicon.
An AG Barr spokesperson said: “We’re disappointed in the decision by 11 of our Scottish based HGV1 drivers, represented by Unite the union, to take industrial action.
We made a pay offer that we believe is fair and competitive – in line with what has been agreed with our other employees. We believe we have a responsibility to be fair to everyone.
We are committed to continuing to work with our Trunker and Shunter Drivers and their trade union representatives to find a positive and constructive resolution.
We have contingency plans in place to maintain customer service.”
