Beer shortages could be on the horizon as staff at a brewery site are set to strike for 48 hours later this month after negotiations over pay collapsed.

GMB Union members at the Budweiser site in Samlesbury are set to hold further strike action in July weeks after holding a three day strike at the site last month.

The GMB has said that "disgraceful Bud bosses would threaten to take money out of workers' pockets during a cost-of-living crisis" says GMB Union.

Budweiser has said it will continue to work to reach an agreement and pointed to its investment in the site between Blackburn and Preston.

Budweiser, Becks, Stella Artois and Boddingtons are produced at the site, and if a resolution isn't reached beer pumps could run dry this summer.

The GMB said in a meeting between officials and management it was told staff should accept a three per cent pay rise, amounting to a real terms pay cut with sky-high inflation.

The union has called for "meaningful engagement to resolve the dispute" rather than trying to force through the proposed three pay cent rise.

Bosses also threatened workers that they wouldn’t be able to claim back pay if the deal was not agreed by July 21, the GMB has claimed.

Lancashire Telegraph: Workers were out on the picket line on Thursday (June 9 and are set to strike again this month.)Workers were out on the picket line on Thursday (June 9 and are set to strike again this month.)

Workers at the Salmesbury site have already walked out several times in June over the pay dispute.

Stephen Boden, GMB Organiser, said: "We will not be intimidated by their bully boy tactics.

"It’s disgraceful they would threaten to take money out of workers' pockets during a cost-of-living crisis. 

‘‘Therefore, we will be going ahead with a 36 hour walk out starting Saturday, July 16, at 7pm, until Monday, July 18, at 7am - with a further 12 hour stoppage on Tuesday, July 19.

“They continue to ignore workers and put profit before people with this derisory pay offer.  Workers are rightly angry. 

“But it’s not too late for management to listen to workers and get back round the table with us to work out a fair deal.” 

A spokesperson from Budweiser Brewing Group said it has a positive and long-standing relationship with the GMB, however despite open negotiations, "the GMB have confirmed there will be additional dates for industrial action at our Samlesbury brewery."

The spokesperson added: "Our people are our greatest strength, and as such we are proud to offer a competitive package – wages in the Brewery are in the top 10 per cent for the region and a range of benefits are provided including private medical cover, wellbeing allowance, access to the Verhelst Foundation to support physical and mental wellbeing, a ‘perks at work’ programme, product vouchers, opportunities for scholarship funds and bonuses.  

"We’ve made significant investments in Samlesbury which have resulted in further innovation and automation, additional skills development, promotions and many new job opportunities. Over recent years we have increased our headcount by over 65.  

"The teams have implemented plans to ensure that supply has not been interrupted, and we will continue to minimise the impact to customers and consumers. 

"Whilst we have not yet reached an agreement, we continue to work toward a mutually acceptable solution.”