ANYONE wanting a pint Budweiser, Stella Artois, Becks, Boddingtons or Export Pale Ale could go thirsty this summer, says GMB Union.

Budweiser workers have announced a series of summer strikes following a pay dispute. 

A total of 225 GMB members working at Budweiser Brewing Group’s Samlesbury site, near Preston, will down tools on a series of dates in June in anger over a "real terms pay cut".

It is the first time workers at the site, which brews Budweiser, Stella Artois, Becks, Boddingtons and Export Pale Ale, have gone in strike in its 50 year history.  

After months of discussion with the world’s biggest brewer BBG, it tabled a full and final offer of a three per cent pay increase for staff in 2022 and three per cent for 2023 with increases in overtime rates.  

With the cost-of-living crises and inflation at nine per cent, the offer amounts to a massive pay cut in real terms, says the GMB.

Stephen Boden, GMB Organiser, said: “The last thing these workers want to do is jeopardise beer supplies just as the hot weather kicks in. 

“But they’ve been pushed into this by bosses essentially slashing their wages during a cost of living crisis. 

“Do they really except loyal workers to swallow a real terms pay cut?  

“Anyone fancying a pint Budweiser, Stella Artois, Becks, Boddingtons or Export Pale Ale strike could go thirsty this summer. 

“But it’s not too late for bosses to listen to workers and offer a fair deal.”