Irn-Bru summer supplies ‘at risk’ as workers at Lanarkshire plant ballot for strike action

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Supplies of Scotland’s other national drink could be affected this summer as the threat of strike action looms at its Lanarkshire plant.

Around a dozen drivers at the AG Barr production and distribution centre in Cumbernauld are being balloted on walkouts after rejecting a five per cent pay offer from the drinks giant.AG Barr makes Irn-Bru, which is widely considered to be Scotland’s second national drink after whisky.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android Unite the union says the offer equates to a pay cut of 6.3 per cent based on the current retail price index of 11.3 per cent.The ballot opens on Thursday and will close on July 6.Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Imagine a hot summer in Scotland and no supplies of Irn-Bru - Scotland’s other national drink - to quench raging Scottish thirsts.“Well that’s exactly what’s on the horizon if the management of AG Barr don’t revise their current wage offer to Unite members.“It is a cash-rich company with £52.9 million sitting in the bank, so they have the money to make a decent offer.

Our members can be assured that they will have Unite’s total support in this fight.”The union claims the company’s has adjusted profit before tax of £43.5 million, and due to strong revenue generation it reported a net cash position of £52.9 million.Andy Brown,