Strikes intensify at Cameronbridge distillery as dispute escalates

Strike action by over 100 Unite members at Diageo’s Cameronbridge distillery intensifies today (Monday 12 October) as part of a series of stoppages set to severely impact operations at the site. 

Workers will gather at the main gate of the distillery from 09.00 to coincide with the start of industrial disruption, and pickets will be in place throughout the day. 

Further strike action involving all union members will take place on 15, 19 and 22 October. 

The industrial disruption began on 28 September with specific groups of workers scheduled to take industrial action up until 15 October.

An escalation in the industrial action to cover all workers at Cameronbridge followed Diageo’s management reaffirming its threat to push through with compulsory redundancies. Unite understands that no whisky has been produced since 27 September at Cameronbridge.

The union has repeatedly warned of serious safety concerns arising from the proposed reduction in roles at Cameronbridge with no commensurate reduction in production levels. A minimum of 13 jobs are currently at risk in key operational areas.  

The union has raised its concerns over inadequate health and safety risk assessments being undertaken by management to assess the impact of cutting jobs at the distillery.

Local union reps estimate that over £1.1 million has been spent on overtime payments at the distillery with fatigue being identified as a key factor by workers in absence rates.

Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham said: “Diageo is making billions on the back of our members' hard work. It has shamefully and illogically rejected proposals to make savings at the distillery by bringing services back in-house. This is simply corporate greed in its worst form.”

Unions have jointly identified £2.5 million in potential savings at Cameronbridge through proposing the company bring back in-house outsourced contractor work.

The cost-saving proposal was rejected by Diageo on the basis that local management want to retain "flexibility" despite it having a higher-cost base, rather than permanent jobs at the distillery.  

The dispute is based on Diageo’s plans to slash hundreds of jobs across its operations in Scotland as part of global restructuring proposals. The Cameronbridge distillery is Europe’s largest grain distillery with Unite being the principal trade union.  

Diageo has around 3,000 employees based in distilleries and bottling plants across Scotland. Diageo Scotland has recorded billions of pounds in after tax profit over the last four financial years with the company reporting £595m profit for 2025, £736m in 2024, £872m in 2023, and £767m in 2022. 

Unite industrial officer Dougie Orchardson, said: “The workforce at Cameronbridge is already stretched never mind the proposal by Diageo to slash more jobs. Burn out and fatigue are already major issues. The plans to cut more jobs at a hazardous site raises major safety concerns.” 

“Our members are standing up and being counted against these dangerous proposals because their personal well-being and safety is at risk.” 

Diageo produces high-profile brands including 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.