Diageo strike action escalates at Cameronbridge distillery

Over 100 workers fight back against job cuts

Strike action by over 100 Unite members at Diageo’s Cameronbridge distillery will escalate in response to management reiterating its threat to force through job cuts, the union has announced.

Industrial disruption began on 28 September with specific groups of workers scheduled to take industrial action up until 15 October.  Strike action involving all members will now be widened to include the following additional days: 12, 15, 19 and 22 October.

The union said the significant industrial escalation is in response to Diageo management reaffirming its threat to push through compulsory redundancies during the course of meetings this week. Unite is the principal trade union at Cameronbridge.

Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham said: “Diageo’s behaviour toward its loyal and skilled workforce at Cameronbridge is disgraceful. It is making hundreds of millions of profit on the back of our members' hard work. Its sole objective appears to be squeezing even more out of them which is completely unacceptable. Our members will fight these unnecessary jobs cuts every step of the way.”

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. The Cameronbridge distillery is Europe’s largest grain distillery.

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 industrial officer Dougie Orchardson, said: “Unite members will significantly escalate their industrial action in response to Diageo’s arrogance and greed. The company has refused to properly engage with us. It has instead reaffirmed its disgraceful plan to push ahead with its job cuts.

“Diageo has brought further strike action on itself due to its actions. This will inevitably result in more disruption which is already having a really significant impact on Diageo's operations.”

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.