(TDB) - Staff at Diageo have voted to take industrial action in a dispute over pensions, which could impact its operations across Scotland, Northern Ireland and Cheshire in the run up to Christmas.

Both GMB Scotland and Unite members voted in favour of action, which could take place in the run-up to Christmas, and are likely to affect all of Diageo’s 50 sites in Scotland, as well as other locations in Northern Ireland and Cheshire.

The dispute is over proposed changes to Diageo’s final salary pension scheme, which has seen unions accuse the spirits producers of “shameful corporate greed”.

“Diageo is happy to significantly increase executive pay in the wake of billions of pounds of profit but they won’t protect the pensions of the workforce who have contributed massively towards the success of the business,” said Louise Gilmour of GMB Scotland.

“Our members have sent a strong message to Diageo that the company needs to think again if it wants to avoid damaging strikes across Scotland.”

Unite, which has more than 700 members at Diageo sites around the UK, said its ballot showed 82% in favour of industrial action short of a strike, and 77% in favour of strike action.