DIAGEO STRIKE FAQs – Diageo: Get Real on Pay

Why are GMB members striking?

We have been in negotiation with Diageo since May, with their most recent offer amounting to just 2.8%. GMB remains open to talks with Diageo and we will continue to encourage Diageo to meet with us and to engage in meaningful negotiations. From your pay claim, consultative ballots and strike ballot, you have been clear on what your expectations are for this year’s pay negotiations. You want a pay offer that beats the rising cost of living, and the latest offer of 2.8% amounts to a real terms pay freeze. Diageo can stop this strike action at any time by getting real on pay and tabling an offer that your reps feel is worthy of your consultation.

When will the strike take place?

Without a change in the position of Diageo, GMB members will take strike action on the following dates and times:

 All Maturation and Distillation sites except Cameronbridge Distillery: 

Tuesday 17 September 2019 commencing at 22.00 hours finishing at Wednesday 18 September 2019 at 21.59 hours.

 Leven and Cameronbridge: 

Wednesday 18 September 2019 commencing at 08.00 hours finishing at Thursday 19 September 2019 at 07.59 hours.

 Shieldhall: 

Thursday 19 September 2019 commencing at 18.00 hours and finishing at Friday 20 at 17.59 hours.

 All Maturation and Distillation sites except Cameronbridge Distillery: 

Thursday 26 September 2019 commencing at 22.00 hours finishing at Friday 27 September 2019 at 21.59 hours.

 Leven and Cameronbridge :

Thursday 26 September 2019 commencing at 22.00 hours finishing at Friday 27 September 2019 at 21.59 hours.

 Shieldhall:

Thursday 26 September 2019 commencing at 18.00 hours and finishing at Friday 27 at 17.59 hours.

What to do on the day of the strike?

If you are already on shift when strike action begins on your site, please leave your place of work safe, shutting down any machinery in a safe manner and leave the premises. If your shift is due to start when strike action is taking place you do not need to inform your managers or enter the site. You can join members outside your workplace. If you are due to be on shift at the end of the industrial action, make sure you are on site ready to start your work for when strike action finishes. If this means entering the site 15 minutes before strike finishes to allow you to be ready to take strike action, then you will need to do that.

Meeting outside your work on strike day

We will have a mixture of different things happening on strike day at different sites. At larger sites we will be running picket lines, the law advises that we only have 6 people per picket line. We would encourage you to turn up at your work and if there is already 6 people on the picket then you can stand with other GMB members away from the picket line as part of a larger demonstration.  It is important that demonstrations are on public land, do not block public access or cause a nuisance. GMB will provide flags and placards for our members. Members on strike action will not be able to use company vehicles, facilities or car parks. If you are coming by car make sure you park your vehicle safely and do not block access to the site. To find out what is happening on your site please talk to your GMB rep.

Behaviour during industrial action

Those on a picket line can ask for people to not cross a picket line but we must accept the decision of those who do cross picket lines. There will be other members of staff on site such as Sodexo, Brightworks and non-Band 6 & 7 Diageo workers who will be expected to go in to work by Diageo, please bear in mind that these workers aren’t part of our industrial action. Please try to remain polite and respectful throughout the day while we show the strength of our unity in fighting for the pay rise you deserve.

Strike Pay

GMB will be paying strike pay for those who do not go to work due to strike action. Your reps will be taking the names of those people who turn up on site for pickets and demonstrations to make sure you get paid this.