Warning UK Could Face 'Summer Beer Drought'

The UK could face a ‘summer beer drought’ as hundreds of employees at the one of the world’s biggest brewer threaten to go on strike amid a pay dispute. 

According to the GMB union, staff at the Budweiser Brewing Group (BBG) - the UK arm of Anheuser-Busch InBev – were offered a three percent increase for 2022 and a three percent increase for 2023, along with an increase in overtime rates. 

However, the union has said this is simply not enough, given the current cost of living crisis in the UK. 

A total of 225 GMB members working at BBG’s site in Samlesbury, South Ribble, Lancashire, have voted for industrial action. 

The site produces a number of popular beers including Budweiser, Stella Artois, Becks, Boddingtons and Export Pale Ale. 

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GMB Organiser Stephen Boden said in a statement that the pay offer was ‘frankly insulting’, adding: “[Management at BBG] are choosing to ignore workers and put profit before people with this derisory pay offer.   

“Workers are rightly angry and if this strike goes the distance Budweiser could face a summer beer drought. 

“How can they expect hard working staff to accept a real terms pay cut? 

“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.” 

A spokesperson from BBG told the Lancashire Telegraph in a statement that the company has plans in place to 'minimise the impact on customers'.

It also said BBG is offering a 'competitive package', and that it hopes to find a 'mutually acceptable way forward' to avoid strike action.

The spokesperson said: "Budweiser Brewing Group has a positive and long-standing relationship with the GMB, however despite open and comprehensive negotiations with the GMB, industrial action has been voted for at our Samlesbury brewery.

"Our people are our greatest strength, and as such we are proud to offer a competitive package – in the 90th percentile for total compensation – with benefits that include private medical cover and bonuses.

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"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 are hopeful that through a continued open dialogue we can still reach a mutually acceptable way forward which will avoid industrial action.

"The teams have plans in place to minimise the impact on customers."

LADbible has contacted Anheuser-Busch InBev for comment.