Budweiser brewery faces strike

Members at AB-InBev Brewery, in Salmesbury, Preston, will take part in a full industrial action ballot in a dispute over the sacked worker.

Paul Morley, the site’s senior health and safety rep, was dismissed on 13th June 2018 for ‘refusing a reasonable management request’.

Mr Morley had raised concerns over an management initiative to speed up the brewing process.

He said management had not conducted a proper assessment into fatigue caused by the new process. As a result, he was sacked.

GMB regional organiser Shaun Buckley, said, “Paul Morley has been sacked simply for trying to look after the wellbeing of his colleagues. It’s a disgrace.

“GMB understands management my want to streamline processes –all we ask is the follow the appropriate health and safety assessments in doing so.

“Now GMB members will have the opportunity to support Paul by voting for strike action.

AB InBev spokesperson has responded and said, "As a responsible brewer and business, health and safety is our number one priority. While we can’t go into detail on individual or ongoing employee cases, we want to emphasise that we did not dismiss the employee in question for raising health and safety concerns and would never dismiss any employee for such reason.

“We take our commitment to health and safety seriously and ensure that all processes adhere to our high standards, as well as to legal requirements. The safety of our processes has been confirmed using a certified assessment tool from the UK body, the Health & Safety Executive (HSE). 

"As part of our usual approach and focus on the health, safety and wellbeing of our colleagues, we will continue to have a dialogue with trade union representatives."