Worker’s at AG Barr’s Cumbernauld, Dunbartonshire production and distribution centre are set for over a week of strikes starting next month.

Members of the Unite union rejected a five per cent pay deal from the Irn-Bru makers, with 83 per cent of staff members voting to back strike action earlier this month.

The union said that nine 24-hour strikes will take place between 11 August and 6 October, with a continuous ban on overtime starting 8 August. The strikes will involve 10 truck and shunter drivers.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham has warned that supplies of the Scottish favourite beverage could 'dry up' within weeks, with the union claiming that AG Barr had not improved its offer despite increases to revenue by 18.2 per cent to £317.6 million over the last financial year.

Graham said: “The company is cash rich with £52.9 million chilling in the bank. Yet, they are offering our members a significant real terms pay cut when they can easily afford to pay more. We will back our members all the way in their fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.”

Unite industrial officer Andy Brown added: “Despite our best efforts to resolve this dispute through negotiation, AG Barr has not moved beyond 5 per cent. The only way it seems they will pay attention is if supplies of its popular products including Irn-Bru start to fizzle out, which is exactly what is now on the cards.”

Along with Irn-Bru, AG Barr also produces brands including Rubicon, Bundaberg, Moma oat milk and Funkin pre-mixed cocktails.

A spokesperson for the company said: “We are disappointed in the decision by about 10 of our Scottish based HGV1 drivers to take industrial action. We made an offer that we believe is fair and competitive – in line with what has been agreed with our other employees. We believe we have a responsibility to be fair to everyone.

“We have contingency plans in place to maintain customer service and we will continue to work with Unite representatives and Acas to find a positive and constructive resolution.”

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