Beer shortage threatened by union walkout
DRINKERS could be left without their post-work pint next Wednesday, after union barons yesterday announced plans to disrupt beer deliveries in a dispute over pay and conditions.
Unite, Britain’s biggest trade union, said supplies to 30,000 drinking establishments would be affected when employees of distributors KNDL walk out for 24 hours. Draymen and warehouse workers believe that a current round of restructuring is likely to result in job losses.
Deliveries of Fosters, Heineken, Kronenbourg, John Smith’s, Strongbow, plus Britvic soft drinks are set to be affected by the strike.
Pubs and premises run by Enterprise Inns, Trust Inns, Wetherspoons, and Wells and Young’s will be badly affected – meaning many drinkers in the City and Canary Wharf will be left supping the dregs of the barrel.
“KNDL’s refusal to take our concerns seriously means there will be significant disruption to the supply of beer right across the country,” said Rhys McCarthy of Unite. “Whether it’s the Houses of Parliament, Manchester City football club or your local Wetherspoons’ pub there will be serious consequences.”