Cameronbridge distillery production to be brought to 'standstill’

Strike action by over 100 members of Unite is set to hit Diageo’s Cameronbridge distillery in an escalating dispute over jobs.  

Strike action will start with all workers taking strike action on 28 September, and, thereafter, specific groups of workers will be taking industrial action until 05.59 on 15 October. 

Successive days of action by distillation and process controllers, distillery and machine operators, technicians, quality control analysts, process chemists and engineers will be held each day throughout the three week period. 

Unite believes the targeted industrial action will bring production to a standstill at Cameronbridge. The distillery is Europe’s largest grain distillery employing around 200 people. 

The dispute is based on Diageo’s plans to slash hundreds of jobs across its operations in Scotland with dozens of roles under review at Cameronbridge, as part of global restructuring proposals.   

Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham said: “Unite has repeatedly warned Diageo that there is no justification for slashing hundreds of jobs across its operations when it is raking in hundreds of millions of profit. We are backing our members at Cameronbridge all the way in their fight for jobs, pay and conditions.” 

Unite believes 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 worker safety and wellbeing due to roles being cut with no proposed reduction in production at the distillery.  

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. 

Unite deputy Scottish secretary Dougie Maguire, said: “It really is last orders for Diageo. It has a final opportunity to step back from its callous cuts at Cameronbridge.” 

“If it fails to halt these self-destructive proposals, then strikes will bring production to a standstill.  

“Industrial action will disrupt the supply of many people’s favourite drinks but the blame for this will lie squarely with Diageo’s management”.

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.   

ENDS 

Notes to Editors: For media enquiries contact: Andrew Brady on 07810 157922 or andrew.brady@unitetheunion.org

Unite Scotland is the country’s biggest and most diverse trade union with around 150,000 members.