UNITE has labelled drinks company Diageo the “poster-child for insatiable corporate greed,” as Scottish workers launch a series of strikes against a real-terms pay cut.

More than 1,000 workers at the booze giant’s Cameron Bridge and Leven sites will walk out today and tomorrow, followed by further strikes over the next 10 days at Shieldhall.

They are angry that management refused to negotiate a better pay rise than the current 2.8 per cent, which is a real-terms pay cut.

The company, which produces Guinness and Johnnie Walker whiskey, announcing £4.2 billion in pre-tax profits in July.

Unite regional industrial officer Bob MacGregor said: “Diageo has now become the poster-child for insatiable corporate greed.

“Diageo deliberately chose to use this last opportunity ahead of strike action to waste time and indulge themselves in a charade.

“We are always willing to talk with the company, but this must be on the basis of respecting and properly rewarding the workforce with an improved offer.”