HISTORIC strikes over pay could hit summer supplies of “Scotland’s other national drink” Irn-Bru, Unite warned today.

The union confirmed its members at world-renowned soft drinks manufacturer AG Barr are balloting for walkouts because bosses are “attempting to force through” a below-inflation 5 per cent wage deal. 

The vote, which opened today and closes on July 6, involves about a dozen trucker and shunter drivers at the company’s Cumbernauld production and distribution centre, it said.

Unite industrial officer Andy Brown stressed his members “keep the factory running smoothly.

“Without them it will undoubtedly have a big impact on production and distribution,” he said. 

“It is the first potential dispute in the history of [this] factory which goes to show how angry our members are.”

He urged the firm, which recently reported pre-tax profits of £43.5 million, to “get back round the table and make our members a fair offer or else the supply of brands such as Irn-Bru could be hit.”

An A.G. Barr spokesperson told the Morning Star: “Unfortunately, we have so far been unable to reach agreement with Unite.

“We have offered a deal which we believe is fair and competitive. It is also in line with what has been agreed with our other employees and we believe we have a responsibility to be fair to everyone.

"As well as this year’s pay offer, we gave the majority of our frontline workers, including our HGV1 drivers, two additional payments across the last year totalling £1,500, to support cost of living challenges.

“We will continue to engage with those involved with a view to finding a positive and constructive resolution. However, we do have contingency plans in place to maintain customer service.”