Whisky workers at a Dumbarton distillery have agreed to formally end the threat of strike action after they accepted an improved pay offer over two years.

Staff at the Chivas Brothers Kilmalid site will receive a 6.4 per cent pay increase effective from July 1, 2023, along with a one-off payment of £500.

In year two, the pay rise will consist of the average inflation figure over the year running until July 2024.

The settlement ends a dispute that threatened to put festive whisky supplies in danger of a shortfall as workers planned to down tools across the country in a series of rolling 24-hour walkouts.

Now, union Unite, the main union at the company, praised the new deal and the members for fighting for better conditions.

Sharon Graham said: “It was only down to the fact that our 500-strong membership at Chivas Brothers were prepared to fight and take strike action that the company came back to the negotiating table.

“The pay deal is another example of Unite delivering better jobs, pay and conditions for its members.”

Chivas employs around 1,500 people in Scotland and produces Scotch whisky premier brands including Chivas Regal, Aberlour, Ballantine's, Royal Salute and The Glenlivet.

Unite represents workers at Chivas plants in Kilmalid, Dalmuir, Beith, Strathclyde Grain and Strathisla distilleries, and Dumbuck warehouse facility among others.

Unite industrial officer Andy Brown, added: “Unite has delivered a significant improvement to the pay packets of our Chivas Brothers membership. The new two-year deal will help them cope with the ongoing cost of living crisis.

“We are pleased that we have negotiated an offer which has been overwhelmingly accepted by the membership bringing the dispute to an end.”

A Chivas Brothers spokesperson said: “We are pleased that following the latest ballot, employees covered by bargaining agreements have now voted to accept our revised proposal, which avoids unnecessary strike action.

"The new deal includes an acceptance of our original pay proposal and enhanced benefits, along with the security of a two-year agreement.

"We are looking forward to continuing to work closely with all our employees to deliver our main business objective, which is the continued supply of our world-renowned whiskies to consumers all over the world.”