Industrial action at ABI Budweiser brewery
The industrial action will include an overtime ban from 13 August, as employees try to have their colleague reinstated.
The Morning Advertiser understands the industrial action will not affect supplies of Budweiser to the pub trade.
Members of the brewery in Salmesbury, Preston, will take the action in a bid to have colleague Paul Morely, who was the site’s senior health and safety representative, reinstated.
Health and safety concerns
According to the GMB union, Morley raised health and safety concerns over a management initiative to speed up the brewing process.
He claimed a proper assessment into fatigue caused by the new process had not been carried out.
GMB regional organiser Shaun Buckley said in a statement: “GMB members at In-Bev are taking industrial action in solidarity with Paul Morley as they press for him to be reinstated.
“For Paul to be dismissed when he was looking out for the health and safety of his colleagues is a scandal and our members are taking the fight for his job right to the company.”
An ABI spokesperson said: “As a responsible brewer and business, health and safety is our number one priority.
‘High standards’
“While we can’t go into detail on individual or ongoing employee cases, we want to emphasise that we did not dismiss the employee in question for raising health and safety concerns and would never dismiss any employee for such reason.
“We take our commitment to health and safety seriously and ensure that all processes adhere to our high standards, as well as to legal requirements.
“The safety of our processes has been confirmed using a certified assessment tool from the UK body, the Health & Safety Executive (HSE).”
The spokesperson continued: “As part of our usual approach and focus on the health, safety and wellbeing of our colleagues, we will continue to have a dialogue with trade union representatives.”
