Workers at Lucozade owner Suntory Beverage & Food are set to begin a week of strike action amid a dispute over pay, says Unite Union.
Over 180 employees at the food and drinks company, which owns brands such as Lucozade and Ribena, will start strike action on 5 February in Coleford, Gloucestershire, following claims of management failing to “address the cost-of-living crisis”.
The industrial action may also disrupt stock levels and lead to shortages of the popular drinks it owns, including Lucozade, Ribena, warned Unite.
Unite regional officer Michael Hobbs said: “The strike action will inevitably result in shortages of consumers’ favourite drinks but Suntory has brought this strike on itself due to its unreasonable actions.
“Our members have been pushed to their limit because of the continuous disrespect shown by Suntory and its inability to address the current impact of the cost-of-living crisis on its workers.”
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Among other grievances, workers claimed they received a two-year pay deal effective, with a promise from the Lucozade owner to review the second-year increase should inflation exceed 5% between January to June 2023.
Yet workers argue that despite the rate of inflation exceeding this mark, Suntory has “not met expectations in relation to this commitment”.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Suntory is awash with cash and it is reprehensible that it is has failed to give our members a fair pay increase.
“Unite does what it says on the trade union tin and always puts the jobs, pay and conditions of its members first. The workers at Suntory have Unite’s complete support.”
Responding to the news, Suntroy told Grocery Gazette that it hoped to “reach an agreement” with the workers and reassured the “factory will remain open with production lines still producing drinks for customers nationwide”.
Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I supply chain director Karl Ottomar: “We are in active discussions with our trade union and our employee representatives to secure a fair and positive outcome for everyone.
“Our current remuneration package makes us a very competitive employer in the region. The employees taking part have received two pay increases in addition to a one-off additional payment since 2022 in recognition of their work and to support with the cost-of-living crisis.
“We have also invested heavily in the modernisation of our historic Coleford site, including a £13m bottling line in 2020. To support our trade customers, we have business continuity plans to ensure minimal disruption through this period. During this week, the factory will remain open with production lines still producing drinks for customers nationwide.
If the strike goes ahead, it will come as the first strike at the The Royal Forest Factory since the 1970s.
