Drinkers warned of Guinness Zero drought this Christmas as workers in Belfast go

The UK is facing a shortage of Guinness Zero this Christmas after workers voted to go on strike in a dispute over pay, union bosses have warned.

Around 90 staff at the company’s packaging site in Belfast will walk out on December 5 with the industrial action running until December 13.

The Unite union said the workers are demanding ‘a substantial increase in pay’ to close the gap with their counterparts at owner Diageo’s site in Runcorn in Cheshire.

The union claimed the ‘the UK is facing a Guinness zero drought this Christmas’ due to the strike – something vehemently denied by Diageo.

Unite regional officer Michael Keenan said: ‘Diageo’s Belfast site is the world’s biggest producer of Guinness Zero and this strike action will severely disrupt production lines in the run-up to Christmas. Management needs to stop disrespecting our members and return to the negotiating table with an offer that meets workers’ pay expectations.’

Diageo, whose other brands include Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff and Captain Morgan, launched Guinness Zero in 2020 to tap into growing demand for non-alcoholic drinks.

The strike is a headache for new boss Sir Dave Lewis, who takes over at Diageo on January 1 soon after the industrial action comes to an end.

The former Tesco chief, who will be paid £1.5million a year plus bonuses, is known as ‘Drastic Dave’ in the City for his ability to cut costs and take bold decisions.

He has been brought in to revive flagging sales and turn Diageo around – with some speculating that this could even include the sale of Guinness.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham added: ‘Diageo is one of the largest and most profitable drinks companies in the world. It can fully afford to make workers a decent offer but has chosen to put profits before people.’

A Diageo spokesman said: ‘There will be no disruption to the supply of Guinness or Guinness 0.0 over the Christmas period.

‘We have contingency plans in place to manage any potential impact at our can packaging site in Belfast.

‘While we are disappointed by the outcome of the ballot for industrial action at our can packaging site in Belfast, we strongly believe that continued engagement is the best way of securing a resolution that recognises employees for their valued contribution, while ensuring the long-term competitiveness of the site.’