Empty shelves could greet shoppers looking for Guinness Zero this Christmas after Unite members at Diageo in Belfast voted overwhelmingly to reject an inadequate pay offer from management and to take strike action.

Around 90 workers will commence an eight-day strike from 7am on Friday 12 December continuing until the early hours of Saturday 29 December. A previous eight-day strike was due to commence on Friday 5 December but was suspended by workforce reps to allow consideration of the new pay offer made the day before.

The strike will shut down the site which is the world’s largest producer of Guinness Zero cans. The workers are seeking a pay deal ending the pay gap with Diageo’s site in Runcorn, England.

Earlier this year Diageo reported net profits of more than $2.5 billion globally and a key driver of that success is Guinness Zero – the UK’s best-selling alcohol-free beer.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “Diageo is one of the largest and most profitable drinks companies in the world. It can afford to level up its workers pay but has chosen to put profits before people. Now it will see empty shelves as our members take to the picket line and shut down their factories. It needs to recognise the determination of this workforce to win fair pay and make a fair pay offer.”

-ENDS-

For further information or to arrange an interview contact Donal O’Cofaigh, Unite campaigns, communications & press (NI), tel. 07810 157926.