Chivas Brothers Workers Accept Pay Deal

UNITED KINGDOM / AGILITYPR.NEWS / June 18, 2021 / Unite Scotland has today (18 June) confirmed that its membership at Chivas Brothers have voted to accept a pay offer. 

Last month, Unite members voted for strike action by 82% on a 62% turnout. However, following negotiations facilitated through the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) a new offer was put to the workforce in late May. The pay deal will mean that Chivas workers will receive the greater of 2.5% or inflation on 1 July 2021, and an increase by the greater of 2.0% or inflation on 1 July 2022. 

Unite has hundreds of members at the company’s Kilmalid, Strathclyde Grain Distillery, Southern Operations and Northern Operations with the company estimated to employ around 1,600 workers in Scotland. 

Elaine Dougall, Unite regional coordinating officer, said: “Unite's members at Chivas Brothers have voted to accept a pay offer following negotiations facilitated by Acas. The pay deal will mean our members’ incomes will be protected against any rises in inflation over the next two years. It’s disappointing that we had to threaten to hold strike action in order to get Chivas Brothers to make a fair offer to the workforce who have worked nonstop throughout the pandemic. We hope that this deal can reset the relationship with Chivas Brothers so we can avoid the instability of the last few months for the future.”