WORKERS at a legendary drinks company have avoided strike action this summer after backing a pay deal. 

The move comes after a lengthy dispute between the Chivas, owned by Pernod Richards and the GMB union.

The company runs the Strathclyde Grain Distillery in the Gorbals.

Staff will now receive a 2.5% increase or a raise in line with the consumer price index - whichever is higher.

The move means strike action will now be averted.

GMB Scotland Organiser Keir Greenaway said:

“GMB told Chivas that workers across Scotland couldn’t be the poor relations of the Pernod Ricard family, not after their continuous production throughout this COVID-19 pandemic.

“Chivas have listened to the workers’ voice and our members have now voted to accept an improved offer on their pay and conditions for the next year.

“This will provide some stability in these uncertain times for our members, but rest assured we will continue to campaign and organise to make work better for them.”

We welcome the collective acceptance of our revised pay proposal following the latest ballot vote with Unite Scotland and GMB members.

Jean Christophe Coutures, Chairman and CEO of Chivas Brothers said: "Despite the unprecedented business challenges we continue to face as we recover from the impact of COVID-19, we have maintained 100% of jobs and pay throughout the pandemic - and even recruited across our Scottish sites.

"Our newly-agreed offer - which includes guaranteed pay increases in 2021 and 2022 – means we can now move on from the disruption caused by the dispute and refocus our collective efforts on our recovery from the impact of the pandemic and achieving long-term business success.