Distillery workers vote to strike in pay dispute

Workers at distilleries in the north and north east of Scotland and a warehouse in Lanarkshire have voted in favour of strike action in a dispute over pay.

GMB Scotland members at Inver House Distillers have rejected a 3% pay offer.

The ballot involved warehouse staff in Airdrie and distillery workers at Balblair, Balmenach and Old Pulteney in the Highlands, Knockdhu in Aberdeenshire and Speyburn in Moray.

Inver House Distillers said it was disappointed by the decision, adding that its pay rise this year was in line with inflation.

The GMB Scotland has sought a pay rise of 4%.

The union's David Hume said: "They must re-engage with negotiations, return to the table and find a fair resolution.

"If they do not, industrial action is now inevitable."

Inver House Distillers the dispute involved 25 people - 8% of its workforce.

A spokesperson said: "We have been fair in our approach to negotiations and would reiterate that this year's pay rise was in line with inflation, as it is every year, and was accompanied by an annual bonus paid in December."