Budweiser workers set for further strikes over pay

Workers at Budweiser Brewing Group's (BBG) Samlesbury site are to go on strike in July over a pay dispute.

Members of the GMB union will stage a 36-hour walk-out from 7pm on 16 July until 7am on 18 July followed by a 12-hour strike on 19 July.

Staff at the site, which brews Budweiser, Stella Artois, Boddingtons, and Export Pale Ale, already walked out several times in June over pay.

Bosses have offered workers a 3% pay rise, which the GMB said amounted to a real terms pay cut that did not keep up with inflation.

A spokesperson for BBG said it had a "positive and long-standing" relationship with the union and continued to work towards a "mutually acceptable solution" over wages.

Stephen Boden, GMB organiser, said: ‘'We will not be intimidated by [management's] bully boy tactics. It's disgraceful they would threaten to take money out of workers' pockets during a cost-of-living crisis.

"They continue to ignore workers and put profit before people with this derisory pay offer. Workers are rightly angry.

"But it's not too late for management to listen to workers and get back round the table with us to work out a fair deal."

A BBG spokesperson added: "Our people are our greatest strength, and as such we are proud to offer a competitive package – rated in the 90th percentile – with benefits that include private medical cover and bonuses.

"We've made significant investments in Samlesbury which have resulted in further innovation and automation, additional skills development, promotions, and many new job opportunities. Over recent years we have increased our headcount by over 65."

BBG said it had plans in place to minimise the impact of the strikes on customers and supply.