Strike at Northern Ireland’s largest drinks distributor will halt all deliveries to bars, restaurants and off licenses

Unite is opening a strike ballot of its members working in for Drinks Inc (Musgrave Distribution Ltd).

The strike ballot opens Tuesday, 17 March and closes Tuesday, 31 March with industrial action possible by mid-April.

The pay dispute has erupted over the interpretation of a three-year pay deal which included an inflation escalator clause for the third year [2026]. Unite highlights that cumulative inflation has risen above the threshold which means that the pay deal for the third year has to be revisited. Management is disputing this.

Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said “The refusal of Drinks Inc to fulfil its commitment under the pay deal is completely unacceptable. This is a company that can clearly pay our members fairly but is choosing not to, in order to boost its own profits.”

The workforce of approximately 50 workers makes more than 1,000 deliveries of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages a week to bars, off-licenses and pubs across Northern Ireland.

Unite regional officer Simon Hall said: “If the workers go to the gates the impact will be devastating. There will be an immediate halt to deliveries of all drinks by the company to pubs, restaurants and off licenses across Northern Ireland.

“Drinks Inc needs to recognise the strength of feeling among workers. Management must return to negotiations and deliver an inflation-proof pay increase. If they don’t, they face the prospect of decisive strike action.”

Unite represents all workers in Drinks Inc. warehousing and 95 percent of drivers. The company was acquired by Musgrave distribution ltd in 2019 – the larger company is also strongly organised by Unite.

ENDS…