Workers at the Budweiser Brewing Group's Lancashire site, which brews Budweiser, Stella Artois, Becks, Boddingtons and Export Pale Ale, have voted to down tools over a real terms pay cut. As a result of the strike, people are warning that the country could face a 'summer beer drought'.
A total of 225 GMB Union members at the Samlesbury site, near Preston, will begin an overtime ban, meaning that they will not engage in training or complete face-to-face handovers from Wednesday, May 11. GMB organiser Stephen Boden said: "This industrial action is a result of Budweiser brewing group's management making a frankly insulting pay offer. They are choosing to ignore workers and put profit before people with this derisory pay offer."
The union said that after "months of discussion", the world’s biggest brewer tabled a full and final offer of a 3% increase for 2022 and 3% for 2023, with increases in overtime rates, reports the Liverpool Echo. However, it said that with the cost-of-living crisis and inflation at 9%, "the offer amounts to a massive pay cut in real terms".
GMB added its members also support full strike action, which would be the first time, with the dates still to be confirmed. Mr Boden said: "Workers are rightly angry and if this strike goes the distance Budweiser could face a summer beer drought. How can they expect hard working staff to accept a real terms pay cut? But it’s not too late for management to listen to workers and get back round the table with us to work out a fair deal."
A spokesperson from BBG (Budweiser Brewing Group) recently told CNN in a statement that the company was offering a competitive package "in the 90th percentile for total compensation - with benefits that include private medical cover and bonuses".
"We've made significant investments in Samlesbury which have resulted in further innovation and automation, additional skills development, promotions and many new job opportunities. Over recent years we have increased our headcount by over 65," the spokesperson added.
BBG and GMB have had a "positive and long-standing relationship" and have been in negotiation for months claiming their staff are their "greatest strength".
"We are hopeful that through a continued open dialogue we can still reach a mutually acceptable way forward which will avoid industrial action," it added.
BBG also stated the company has plans in place to minimize the impact on customers.
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