The impact of a potential strike over pay at Northern Ireland’s largest drinks distributor would be “devastating” for pubs and restaurants, it has been warned.
Staff at Drinks Inc. (Musgrave Distribution Ltd) who are members of Unite the Union are to be balloted on industrial action from next week.
If a strike goes ahead, Unite has warned of an “immediate halt” to deliveries across the north.
Unite represents all Drinks Inc. warehousing staff and 95% of its drivers.
Around 50 staff make over 1,000 deliveries of beverages, including non-alcoholic drinks, to pubs, off licences and other venues each week.
The dispute centres on the interpretation of a three-year pay deal and claims that it should be revisited over an inflation escalator clause.
The strike ballot opens on Tuesday and closes two weeks later on March 31.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said the “refusal of Drinks Inc to fulfil its commitment under the pay deal is completely unacceptable”.
“If the workers go to the gates the impact will be devastating,” she said.
“There will be an immediate halt to deliveries of all drinks by the company to pubs, restaurants and off-licenses across Northern Ireland.
“Drinks Inc needs to recognise the strength of feeling among workers. Management must return to negotiations and deliver an inflation-proof pay increase. If they don’t, they face the prospect of decisive strike action.”
Drinks Inc., which was founded in 2001, grew into one of Ireland’s biggest independent beverage distributors, with a turnover of £66m, before it was acquired in 2019 by Musgrave, the owners of SuperValu, Centra and Mace.
It continues to operate as a stand-alone business.
The Irish News approached Drinks Inc. for comment.