Strike action by workers at a plant producing Budweiser, Stella Artois, Becks, and Boddingtons has restarted after the latest round of talks in a long-running pay dispute collapsed.
Hundreds of staff at Budweiser Brewing Group’s site in Salmesbury are now striking until Oct 22 in response to what union leaders describe as a real terms pay cut.
Following a series of strikes at the plant this year, the latest meetings between GMB, the company and conciliation service ACAS collapsed last week after bosses only upped their pay offer by £250 for 2023.
“We don’t believe there is any real desire from Budweiser to resolve this dispute. The work force is losing confidence in the management team," Stephen Boden, GMB Organiser, said.
“Workers are now on strike until Monday. This industrial action will impact all departments and shifts across the site and carries the risk of a Christmas beer drought.
“Budweiser continues to ignore workers and put profit before people with this derisory pay offer. Workers are rightly angry. 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.”
On the latest walkout, a spokesperson from the brewer said that BBG has a positive and long-standing relationship with the GMB however, despite open negotiations, the GMB has confirmed continued industrial action.
“We are disappointed the ACAS conciliation process has not been successful and continue to work towards a solution.”
The spokesperson highlighted the range of benefits the business offers its team members and the investment it has made in the site to improve operations and job opportunities.
BBG stated that the business had put plans in place to ensure the impact from the strike would be minimal.
“We have a very dedicated and talented leadership team to support with the production of our much-loved beers and do not expect any beer shortages,” the spokesperson said.
Brian McLister