Diageo workers walk out at Cameronbridge in strike over job cuts

More than 100 workers walked out at Diageo’s Cameronbridge distillery in Fife on Monday in a strike over job cuts that the union says will bring production to a standstill at Europe’s largest grain distillery.

Unite members began industrial action at the Leven site on Monday 28 September, gathering for a protest at the distillery’s main gate from 05:00, with pickets running until 22:00. The union says specific groups of workers will continue taking action until 15 October, with pickets on each day of strike action.

The dispute centres on Diageo’s plans to cut hundreds of jobs across its Scottish operations, with dozens of roles under review at Cameronbridge as part of global restructuring proposals.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The company is making hundreds of millions of profit but its management appear hell-bent on causing widespread disruption to its workforce and supplies because of corporate greed. That’s completely unacceptable, and we will fight it all the way.”

Deputy Scottish secretary Dougie Maguire added: “Time is up for Diageo. The company has refused to properly engage with Unite, despite repeated attempts, and it persists in covering up the true scale of its proposed cuts.”

Unite, citing Diageo Scotland’s registered accounts, said the Scottish business recorded after-tax profit of £595m for 2025 and £736m for 2024. The union also warned that cutting roles without reducing production put worker safety and wellbeing at risk.

Diageo said it was “in consultation with colleagues on proposed changes at Cameronbridge Distillery, which would see a small reduction in roles”, describing the move as necessary to maintain reduced production volumes and protect the long-term competitiveness of the business.

The distillery employs around 200 people and produces grain spirit used in blended whiskies including Johnnie Walker, Bell’s and Buchanan’s, alongside brands such as Smirnoff, Guinness and Don Julio.

Sources

• Unite the Union, “Diageo strike action to bring Cameronbridge distillery to ‘standstill’” (Sept 2026) — https://www.unitetheunion.org/news-events/news/2026/september/diageo-strike-action-to-bring-cameronbridge-distillery-to-standstill
• Grocery Gazette, “Diageo workers to begin strike at Cameronbridge distillery” (28 Sept 2026) — https://www.grocerygazette.co.uk/2026/09/28/diageo-workers-to-begin-strike-at-cameronbridge-distillery/
• PA via LincsOnline, “Strike to bring production ‘to a standstill’ at Diageo distillery, says union” — https://premium.lincsonline.co.uk/national/strike-to-bring-production-to-a-standstill-at-diageo-distillery-says-union-171827/