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According to Unite, industrial disruption began on Monday 28 September with certain groups of workers taking industrial action up to 15 October and all members of the union will take strike action on four different days this month – 12, 15, 19 and 22 October.
Unite said the “significant industrial escalation” is in response to Diageo management reaffirming its threat to push through compulsory redundancies during the course of meetings during the past week.
However, Diageo stated the dispute relates to the removal of 10 roles, which will impact eight people because two jobs are vacancies, and is limited to just the Cameronbridge distillery.
A spokesperson for Diageo said: “We are disappointed with the decision to strike. We do not expect any disruption to the availability of our products resulting from this action.
“The proposal to remove up to 10 roles at Cameronbridge distillery is a difficult but necessary step as we maintain reduced production volumes. This approach protects the long-term competitiveness of our business. We remain open to constructive dialogue with our employees and their representatives throughout this process.”
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Diageo’s behaviour toward its loyal and skilled workforce at Cameronbridge is disgraceful.
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Completely unacceptable
“It is making hundreds of millions [of pounds] of profit on the back of our members’ hard work. Its sole objective appears to be squeezing even more out of them, which is completely unacceptable. Our members will fight these unnecessary jobs cuts every step of the way.”
The dispute is claimed to be based on Diageo’s plans to slash hundreds of jobs across its operations in Scotland with dozens of roles under review at Cameronbridge, as part of global restructuring proposals. The Cameronbridge distillery, which is in Windygates, near Leven, Fife, Scotland, is Europe’s largest grain distillery.
Unite said it believes Diageo has failed to properly consult on the job cuts at Cameronbridge – which is in Windygates, near Leven, Fife, Scotland – and the company has provided no explanation and minimal detail on the proposed redundancies.
The union has raised further concerns over worker safety and wellbeing due to roles being cut with no proposed reduction in production at the distillery.
Arrogance and greed
Unite said Diageo has about 3,000 employees based in distilleries and bottling plants across Scotland. In its latest registered accounts, Diageo Scotland recorded after tax profit of £595m for 2025 and £736m in 2024.
Unite industrial officer Dougie Orchardson said: “Unite members will significantly escalate their industrial action in response to Diageo’s arrogance and greed. The company has refused to properly engage with us. It has instead reaffirmed its disgraceful plan to push ahead with its job cuts.
“Diageo has brought further strike action on itself due to its actions. This will inevitably result in more disruption, which is already having a really significant impact on Diageo’s operations.”
Among Diageo’s high-profile brands are 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.
