Workers to vote on strike action at Diageo's Cameronbridge distillery
Workers at the Fife grain distillery are to be balloted for strike action.
Unite the union has confirmed that a strike action ballot will open tomorrow (26 August) involving around 100 members at Diageo’s Cameronbridge distillery.
Diageo has announced that it plans to slash hundreds of jobs across its operations in Scotland as part of global restructuring proposals. Cameronbridge is Europe’s largest grain distillery employing around 200 people. It is estimated that over 70 roles are under review at the distillery.
Unite say they believe that Diageo has failed to properly consult on the job cuts at Cameronbridge, and the company has provided no explanation and minimal detail on the proposed redundancies.
The union has raised further concerns over safety and wellbeing due to roles being cut with no proposed reduction in production at the distillery. The workers include production operators and cask handlers.
The ballot opens tomorrow (Wednesday) and closes on 9 September. Strike action could begin by mid-September.
Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: “Diageo is treating its hard working and loyal workforce in an appalling manner. The company is extremely wealthy and there is simply no reason to slash jobs across its operations. If Diageo continue down this callous path, then they will be met with the full force of Unite.”
Diageo has around 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.
The company 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.
Dougie Orchardson, Unite industrial officer, said: “Diageo has failed to consult on the proposed cuts at Cameronbridge. The company is treating its workforce with contempt and that is unacceptable.”
“There is no business case to slash jobs, and it will directly put our members’ safety and wellbeing at risk because Diageo plans to maintain the same level of production. We have no option but to ballot our members on strike action to stop these needless cuts.”
A spokesperson for Diageo said: “We are in consultation with colleagues on proposed changes at Cameronbridge Distillery, which would see a small reduction in roles. While difficult, this follows the decision to maintain reduced production volumes to protect the long-term competitiveness of our business. We are committed to engaging constructively and in good faith with the trade unions and we will continue to support all colleagues during this process.”
The news comes as Diageo also placed 172 staff at risk of redundancy at its Highlands and Islands operations, with 40 posts likely to be cut. In early August the company reported a 3% decline in net sales to £14.5 billion for the year to June, compared with 2025.
New chief executive, Dave Lewis, formerly of Tesco and dubbed “Drastic Dave” is embarking on on a global programme to get the company back on track for returning profit.
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