UK pubs face beer shortages as drivers strike

British pubs face the prospect of beer shortages as the union of Britain’s largest brewery delivery companies plans a strike at the end of the month.

About 1,000 employees at GXO Logistics, which is responsible for about 40% of beer deliveries to UK pubs and clubs, will go on first strike for five days from October 31st to November 4th. According to their union in a statement on Oct. 18.

The company covers around 4,500 pubs in London and the South East of England and has a network of 22 depots from Inverness to Southampton.

GXO depots across the country, including Southampton, Aberdeen, Manchester and Inverness, will be affected by the rolling strike, the union said.

Unite, the union representing the company’s brewery drivers and delivery workers, said their actions “impeded the ability of pubs and other venues to restock their cellars ahead of the World Cup.”

The potential suspension of beer deliveries comes weeks before the FIFA World Cup kicks off in Qatar next month.

The union, reeling from pending salary and job cuts, has threatened further action if the dispute is not resolved as the World Cup kickoff approaches on November 20, and will impose a ban on overtime on October 24. said to start.

The finale of the series is the world’s most-watched event on television this year and a major revenue generator for the UK pub industry.

The beer delivery union negotiations ended in failure.

“GXO can afford to pay its members salary increases that reflect the rising cost of living. told to

“Unite will support GXO members every step of the way in their fight for a fair salary increase. GXO needs to come back with a much improved deal.”

Workers said they rejected the deal, claiming it only offered a 5% pay rise and cuts in sick pay for employees.

“GXO can easily afford it and Unite is determined to do it,” said Graham.

A company spokesperson said Guardian It said the union’s statement was “inaccurate and misleading” and said management’s proposal proposed an average wage increase of 9.2%, with no impact on sickness benefits.

“The offer is highly competitive and follows last year’s annual wage increase of 4%, above inflation,” said the spokesperson. ”

Another controversy revolves around plans to close the GXO depot in Dagenham, Essex. This will result in job losses and increased workload for depot drivers in Croydon, Faversham and Greenford.

The company told The Guardian that the strike “exposes members, the hospitality sector and consumers at risk of unnecessary disruption.”

The planned strike will affect brewers such as Heineken, Stonegate, Admiral Taverns and Shepherd Neame.

Beer and British Politics

The beer delivery service told Bloomberg it has contingency plans in place to ensure that pubs and venues are well stocked should a strike interrupt their normal delivery schedule.

“We are in constant contact with our customers and have business continuity plans in place to ensure sufficient inventory and minimize the impact on consumers in the event of a strike,” said a GXO spokesperson. A spokesperson told The Guardian.

The US-based company reported a profit of $777 million from its UK operations in the second quarter, with adjusted gross profit of $176 million. The company posted his $2.2 billion in total revenue worldwide in the quarter.

Meanwhile, workers at Anheuser-Busch InBev’s Samlesbury depot will go on another strike until Oct. 22, the union told Bloomberg. in a statementafter unsuccessful wage negotiations.

The two strikes have dealt another blow to the beer and hospitality industries after Treasury Secretary Jeremy Hunt announced that he would reverse a planned alcohol tax rate freeze on October 17.

The action will result in a skyrocketing beer price for consumers across the country.

“The Prime Minister’s decision to lift the alcohol tax freeze is a huge blow to breweries and pubs,” said Emma McLarkin, CEO of the British Beer and Pub Association. told the Evening Standard.

“The freeze will save the industry £300m at a time when the relief available is desperately needed to contain surging costs and keep the price of a pint affordable for pub-goers this winter. would have been brought.”

“The costs of doing business are completely out of control for pubs and brewers and they will be hit very hard if we don’t act today to reduce the pressure on their businesses,” said McClarkin. explained.