Further Budweiser strikes planned at the Samlesbury site near Preston after talks collapse

Further strike action at Budweiser has been scheduled after workers turned down the latest pay offer from the company, Budwesier Brewing Group (BBG).

A total of 275 GMB members working at BBG’s Samlesbury site, near Preston, will down tools from August 22-29.

In total, 93 per cent of GMB members rejected the latest offer from Budweiser.

Stephen Boden, GMB Organiser, said: ‘’We don’t believe there is any real desire from Budweiser to resolve this dispute.

‘’It’s disgraceful that they cancel a meeting the evening before we are due to meet with no real reason.

‘‘Therefore, we will be going ahead with a series of stoppages over eight days, impacting all departments and shifts across the site.

‘’The walk out starts 07:00hrs Monday 22 August and runs until 19:00hrs Monday 29 August, with further stoppages scheduled for September.

“They continue to ignore workers and put profit before people with this derisory pay offer. Workers are rightly angry.

“But it’s not too late for management to listen to workers and get back round the table with us to work out a fair deal.”

The GMB members first went on strike on June 6- the first time workers at the Samlesbury site, which brews Budweiser, Stella Artois, Becks, Boddingtons and Export Pale Ale, have gone on strike in its 50 year history.

A spokesperson from Budweiser Brewing Group said: “Budweiser Brewing Group has a positive and long-standing relationship with the GMB, however despite continued open negotiations, the GMB have confirmed industrial action at our Samlesbury brewery. We remain committed to finding a mutually acceptable outcome and have been making every effort to manage the negotiations in the most productive manner.

“Our people are our greatest strength, and as such we are proud to offer a competitive package – wages in the Brewery are in the top 10% for the region and a range of benefits are provided including private medical cover, wellbeing allowance, access to the Verhelst Foundation to support physical and mental wellbeing, a ‘perks at work’ programme, product vouchers, opportunities for scholarship funds and bonuses.

“We’ve made significant investments in Samlesbury which have resulted in further innovation and automation, additional skills development, promotions and many new job opportunities. Over recent years we have increased our headcount by over 65. 

“We have a very dedicated and talented leadership team to support with the production of our much-loved beers and do not expect any beer shortages. We have implemented plans to ensure that supply has not been interrupted, including enhanced logistics measures and cooperation with transport partners to minimise the impact to customers and consumers.”