Supplies of Irn-Bru are under threat as workers have balloted on strike action.

Unite has announced today that its members employed by A.G. Barr are being balloted in a dispute over pay.

They claim that bosses are attempting to force through a below-inflation pay deal. 

Around a dozen trucker and shunter drivers at Barrs' production and distribution centre in Cumbernauld are being balloted following the rejection of a 5 per cent pay offer. 

The offer equates to a real-term pay cut of 6.3 per cent, based on the current RPI rate of 11.3 per cent.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Imagine a hot summer in Scotland and no supplies of Irn Bru - Scotland’s other national drink - to quench raging Scottish thirsts.

"Well that’s exactly what’s on the horizon if the management of A.G. Barr don’t revise their current wage offer to Unite members. In reality, what’s current is a brutal real terms pay cut. 

"It is a cash-rich company with £52.9m sitting in the bank, so they have the money to make a decent offer.

"Our members can be assured that they will have Unite’s total support in this fight.”

Andy Brown, Unite industrial officer, added: “Unite’s members keep the Cumbernauld factory of A.G. Barr running smoothly.

"Without them, it will undoubtedly have a big impact on production and distribution.

"It is the first potential dispute in the history of the Cumbernauld factory which goes to show at how angry our members are at the pay offer on the table. 

"We are demanding that A.G. Barr get back round the table and make our members a fair offer or else the supply of brands such as Irn-Bru could be hit by any strike action this summer.”

A spokesperson for A.G. Barr said: “Unfortunately, we have so far been unable to reach agreement and Unite, the recognised trade union, has indicated that they are balloting for industrial action.

“We have offered a deal which we believe is fair and competitive. 

"It is also in line with what has been agreed with our other employees and we believe we have a responsibility to be fair to everyone. 

"As well as this year’s pay offer, we gave the majority of our frontline workers, including our HGV1 drivers, two additional payments across the last year totalling £1,500, to support cost of living challenges. 

“We will continue to engage with those involved with a view to finding a positive and constructive resolution, however we do have contingency plans in place to maintain customer service.”

The ballot closes on July 6.