Beer supplies hinge on TGWU dispute

Pubs in the South West could see their beer supply disrupted by strike action following a dispute between a distributorand the Transport & General Workers Union (TGWU). A number of staff at the Gloucester-based Tradeteam, which distributes brands owned by Interbrew and Coors brewers, have called for industrial action in response to proposed changes to their contracts. TGWU regional organiser Andy Hamblin said this could mean a pay cut of up to £3,000 a year and altered work patterns that could see, for example, staff being made to work bank holidays and any designated five days out of seven. The TGWU last week organised an unofficial ballot of around 75 Tradeteam employees. The results of the ballot were not known as the Morning Advertiser went to press, but Hamblin said: "Early indications suggest that a significant majority are prepared to take action." If the ballot comes out in favour of strike action the TGWU will look at the possibility of taking official strike action. Hamblin said conditions of employees had steadily worsened after the distribution contract transferred to Tradeteam, which is owned by Excel. He said: "At a meeting with Tradeteam last week, there was hostility [among employees] about what the company was doing. My view was that they can achieve what they want through natural wastage in a few years, but the company is not prepared to wait." An Excel spokeswoman said: "Tradeteam is conducting discussions with staff and union representatives relating to its site in Gloucester. "At this stage, no firm agreements or decisions relating to the above site have been reached and there will be further meetings and close consult-ations with all parties to reach an agreement.