Summer supplies of Irn-Bru could be at risk of 'fizzling out' as workers back strike action, Unite warns.

Unite the Union announced today (July 7) that its members employed by the Irn-Bru manufacturers A.G. Barr have backed strike action amid an escalating pay dispute.

A dozen trucker and shunter drivers at the company's Cumbernauld production and distribution centre backed the strike action by 83%, putting summer supplies of Irn-Bru directly under threat.

Prospective strike action dates will be updated by Unite in due course.

Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: "Summer supplies of Irn-Bru could fizzle out in a matter of weeks due to A.G. Barr's derisory pay offer.

"The company has £52.9 million sitting in the bank, yet management are refusing to share this massive money pot with their workers.

"We will back our members all the way in their fight for better jobs, pay, and conditions."

The strike action ballot result follows the rejection of a 5 per cent pay offer.

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

The popular beverage firm increased its revenue by 18.2 per cent to £317.6 million for the year ending on January 29, 2023.

The company, which produces popular brand such as Irn-Bru increased its adjusted profit before tax to £43.5 million. And due to strong revenue generation, it reported a net cash position of £52.9 million, claims Unite.

Andy Brown, industrial officer for Unite, said: “Unite’s members emphatically backed strike action due to A.G. Barr’s tight-fistedness.

"What’s currently on the table is really taking the fizz. It’s totally unacceptable because the company is cash rich.

"We remain open to resolving this dispute through negotiation but unless there is a significant improvement in the pay offer strike action is on the cards.”