WORKERS at a Drumchapel whisky plant have called off planned industrial action after a pay deal was agreed to end a dispute over new shift patterns and unsociable hours.

Members of both the Unite and GMB trade unions at the Edrington plant in Great Western Road have voted to accept a pay deal worth 12 per cent over the course of the year.

Around 40 Unite members, including engineers, electricians and boilermen, are set to receive a backdated 3 per cent rise in January, with a further 9 per cent to come in April.

The pay rise will see workers receive a boost to their annual income from £2,450 up to £4,900.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite has achieved a great deal for our members at Edrington Distillers.

"The 12 per cent pay rise over the year means that some workers will have their income boosted by up to £4,900.

"Unite does what it says on the tin, we deliver better jobs, pay and conditions for our members.”

Edrington Distillers increased turnover to £140.6 million  in 2022 up from £101.2m the year before.

Unite say directors' remuneration also increased to £5.8m up from £1.8m over the same time period. 

The Drumchapel plant’s parent company – the Edrington Group – boosted its profits for the financial year to £177.3m in 2022 up from £146.2m (2021).

Unite industrial officer Graham McNab added: “The dispute at Edrington Distillers in Drumchapel is now over through this great deal for workers.

"Our members were determined to get what they deserved and in line with industry standards.

"We are pleased the company saw sense before the dispute escalated to industrial action and this should be a lesson for future negotiations.”

Last month, the Edrington Group - which looks after brands like The Famous Grouse and Macallan - told the Post they were "disappointed" that staff were considering strikes.

But after the new pay deal was agreed, Edrington's told the Post: “Edrington works hard to be a good employer and to ensure that all our people share in the success of the business, both through their wages, bonuses and also through an industry-leading suite of benefits.

“We are pleased to have agreed a settlement as part of our planned negotiation process with both Unite and the GMB trade unions.

"During this negotiation, we were also able to resolve the dispute over shift premiums.

"The rise in base pay represents an excellent settlement that is well ahead of average wage rises across the UK and across all sectors.

“It is regrettable that the trade unions did not engage with our offer of a wage settlement at Acas, which could have avoided the uncertainty that ballots have caused to our people.”