Kathrine Frich
The warning has sparked fresh concerns about holiday shortages after pubs faced similar pressures last year.
Across the UK, the run-up to Christmas usually sees pubs and supermarkets stock up on Guinness for the busy festive season.
This year, however, trade unions say the flow of Ireland’s most iconic stout could be disrupted after production staff in Belfast voted to strike.
Industrial action planned
According to the Daily Star, around 90 workers at Diageo’s Belfast packaging site are preparing an eight day walkout beginning Friday December 5 and ending early on December 13.
Unite union officials say members rejected what they called an “inadequate pay offer” from the company.
The dispute centres on claims that staff in Belfast are paid less than colleagues at Diageo’s site in Runcorn, Cheshire. Union representatives say employees want a “substantial increase” to close the gap.
Officials told the Daily Star that the strike could particularly affect supplies of Guinness 0.0, the firm’s alcohol free version.
Concerns over Guinness 0.0
A union spokesman said Belfast is the largest production hub for Guinness 0.0, which they described as the “UK’s best selling alcohol free beer.”
They warned: “The UK is facing a Guinness zero drought this Christmas.”
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham pointed to the company’s strong financial results.
“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,” she said.
Regional officer Michael Keenan added that disruption during December would be significant.
“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,” he said.
Company response
Diageo has insisted that stock levels will not be affected. A spokesperson told the Daily Star:
“There will be no disruption to the supply of Guinness or Guinness 0.0 in the run up to Christmas. We have contingency plans in place to manage any potential impact at our can packaging site in Belfast.”
The company said it remained committed to dialogue.
“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,” the spokesperson said.
Memories of last year
Pubs across the UK faced difficulties obtaining Guinness during the previous Christmas period, with some venues rationing pints and others running out entirely.
The shortage was partly linked to a surge in demand driven by social media trends among younger drinkers.
A source told the Daily Star that Diageo is “currently supplying more Guinness 0.0 to the GB market than ever before,” though some landlords have reportedly turned to rival brands like Murphy’s due to cost differences.
With the strike set to coincide with one of the year’s busiest trading periods, pub owners will be watching closely to see whether contingency plans hold.
Sources: Daily Star.
