Strike action over job cuts set to hit Diageo’s Cameronbridge distillery
Staff were balloted at the end of August over strike action, which will now take place.
Unite the union and GB Union have confirmed that strike action by members is set to take place at Diageo’s Cameronbridge distillery in an escalating dispute over jobs, pay and conditions.
Unite’s members emphatically backed strike action after they were balloted in late August. The union will announce strike dates in the coming days, which is set to severely impact the distillery’s operations.
The dispute is based on Diageo’s plans to cut hundreds of jobs across its operations in Scotland as part of global restructuring proposals. Cameronbridge is Europe’s largest grain distillery employing around 200 people. Diageo confirmed that 10 roles are at risk, with eight people impacted out of 72 employees at the plant.
Unite believes Diageo has failed to properly consult on the job cuts at Cameronbridge, and the company has provided no explanation and minimal detail on the proposed redundancies.
The union has raised further concerns over worker safety and wellbeing due to roles being cut with no proposed reduction in production at the distillery. Unite’s members include production operators and cask handlers.
Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham said: “Diageo is drinking in the last chance saloon. Strikes will be announced in the coming days unless Diageo swiftly changes course.”
“Diageo is raking in hundreds of millions of profit and there is no justification for slashing hundreds of jobs across its operations.”
Daniel Reid, GMB Scotland organiser in the drinks industry, said the vote revealed the frustration of a skilled and committed workforce faced by management who aren’t listening. He said: “The company may believe a consultation can only involve one voice, their own, but our members do not.
“There has been no genuine attempt to listen to their concerns about the impact of these proposals or proposals to ease that impact. The company came into these discussions with a plan already set in stone and no intention of seriously engaging with workers at risk of redundancy.
“The result of this ballot is no surprise and reflects the rising anger of our members and the urgent need for the company to return to talks prepared to engage with their concerns.”
The vote for strike action comes weeks after GMB members at Diago distilleries in the Highlands and islands where 38 jobs are at risk voiced concern over the lack of consultation.
Workers said there had been no serious attempt to engage with them over the redundancies and no agreement has been reached on the number of job losses or the process.
Diageo has around 3,000 employees based in distilleries and bottling plants across Scotland. In its latest registered accounts, Diageo Scotland recorded after tax profit of £595m for 2025, and £736m in 2024.
Unite industrial officer Dougie Orchardson, said: “Diageo needs to listen to its workers or the distillery will be brought to a standstill.
“Industrial action will inevitably result in supplies and shortages of many people’s favourite drinks. This is directly a result of Diageo planning to boost profits at the expense of its loyal workforce.”
Diageo produces high-profile brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Buchanan’s and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.
A spokesperson for Diageo said: “We are disappointed by the outcome of the ballot and remain committed to engaging constructively. The proposed changes are necessary as we maintain reduced production volumes to protect the long-term competitiveness of our business.”
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