Diageo faces two-week strike at Cameronbridge distillery

Trade union Unite announced on 17 September that members at Diageo's Cameronbridge distillery in Leven, Fife, will begin more than two weeks of strike action on Monday 28 September. The walkouts are scheduled to run until just before 6:00 a.m. on Thursday 15 October, targeting Europe's largest grain distillery.

The industrial action will involve rolling strikes by distillation and process controllers, machine operators, technicians, quality control analysts, chemists, and engineers. Unite stated the staggered walkouts aim to bring spirit production at the facility to a complete standstill.

The dispute centers on proposed job reductions across Scotland. Unite claims Diageo plans to eliminate hundreds of positions nationwide and dozens at Cameronbridge as part of a global restructuring plan. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham argued the cuts are unjustified given the group's substantial profits, while deputy Scottish secretary Dougie Maguire warned of supply disruptions for consumers.

A spokesperson for Diageo expressed disappointment over the strike decision. The company said its plan to remove up to 10 roles at Cameronbridge is necessary to match reduced production volumes and protect long-term competitiveness, adding that management remains committed to constructive discussions.