Spirits Low at Cameronbridge - Unite strikes over Diageo job cuts

Things are getting tense at Cameronbridge, Diageo's grain distillery at Windygates near Leven in Fife, which happens to be the biggest of its kind in Europe. The Morning Advertiser reports that Unite is escalating action over job cuts, with more than 100 staff involved.

According to the union, industrial action began on 28 September, with some groups taking action until 15 October and all members striking on 12, 15, 19 and 22 October. Unite says Diageo hasn't consulted properly and hasn't explained the redundancies. It has also raised safety concerns about cutting roles without cutting production. The union's language about the company has been, let's say, pretty spicy.

Diageo tells a different story. It says the dispute is about removing 10 roles at Cameronbridge only, which affects eight people because two of those jobs are vacant. It calls the move difficult but necessary while production volumes are lower, says it's disappointed by the strike, and says it doesn't expect any disruption to product availability. It also says it's open to talks.

So what for hospo people? Diageo's line is that your back bar won't notice. Think Smirnoff, Tanqueray, Captain Morgan, Baileys and Guinness. But this is a reminder that the drinks you pour every night are made by workers with their own fights on. Keep an eye on whether the two sides get round the table.