3,000 Diageo workers secure 10.3% pay increase

Unite the union announced that its more than 500 members working for Diageo had voted in favour the one-year pay deal.

Negotiated by the trade union, 3,000 workers based in distilleries and bottling plants across Scotland will be given an 8% pay rise backdated from July 2024 until January 2025, and then an increase in real terms worth 2.3% will top-up the deal until July 2025.

Unite members employed by Diageo include production operators, cask handlers and distillery workers.

Diageo produces drinks 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.

The firm operates distilleries and bottling plants across Scotland in locations such as Cameron Bridge, Leven and Shieldhall.

“The Diageo deal secured by Unite is an excellent inflation beating pay win,” ​said Unite general secretary Sharon Graham.

“Unite will not rest in its goal to deliver better jobs, pay and conditions for all workers in bottling plants and distilleries across Scotland.”​

Meanwhile, Unite industrial officer Bob MacGregor added: "This pay win will provide a significant boost for our Diageo membership. Ultimately, the deal will benefit around 3,000 workers across the company’s operations.​

“We believe this deal, which was overwhelmingly backed by our membership, will set a benchmark for the rest of the drinks industry in Scotland.”​

In other drinks industry news, the Competition and Markets Authority has announced that it is investigating the anticipated acquisition of Britvic by Carlsberg.​​

Comments from interested parties can be submitted between 10 and 24 September, although the date for the initial inquiry launch has not yet been announced.