Irn-Bru stocks 'at risk of drying up' as Barr's drivers announce weekly walkouts at Cumbernauld plant

Workers at the factory where Scotland’s favourite fizzy drink is made have announced they will strike for nine days between August and October in a dispute over pay.

Trucker and shunter drivers at A.G. Barr in Cumbernauld have warned stocks of Irn-Bru will “dry up” after revealing the start of 24-hour stoppages from August 11.

Staff accused the firm – which also manufactures Rubicon, Strathmore Water and Tizer – of inflicting a “real terms pay cut” over a proposed 5% pay increase.

A ballot among members of the Unite union voted 83% in favour of walkouts despite talks through the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service.

The strikes are set to continue once a week until October 6.

Andy Brown, Unite industrial officer said: “Despite our best efforts to resolve this dispute through negotiation, A.G. Barr has not moved beyond 5%.

“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.”

An overtime ban will also begin on August 8, the union said.

Unite added Barr’s was a “cash rich company” with “£52.9m sitting in the bank”.

They said the firm’s business increased its revenue by 18.2% to £317.6m for the year ended on January 29.

General secretary, Sharon Graham, added: “Supplies of Irn-Bru could dry up in a few weeks due to the key role our members carry out for A.G. Barr.

“The company is cash rich with £52.9m chilling in the bank. Yet, they are offering our members a significant real terms pay cut when they can easily afford to pay more.”

A spokesperson for A.G. Barr said: “We’re disappointed in the decision by around 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.”