UK publicans set to strike in 2010
The general workers union, the GMB, it is set to ballot tied pub tenants in early 2010 to test their appetite for potential industrial action against what many believe are costly contracts with pub parent company. The so called Pubcos own around 50% of pubs in the UK and have their tenants tied into allegedly expensive drink supply contracts with some suggestions that the price of a barrel of beer can double if acquired from a parent company as opposed to directly from the brewery in question.
The UK pub industry has been under intense pressure for some years now and we are seeing more and more pubs closing on a regular basis. The ever-growing cost of acquiring beer, reduced turnover and increased taxes has had a devastating impact on the overall UK pub industry. The UK government may well be called upon to look into the supply contracts which are commonplace today and see if they do break any rules on competition.
The union has suggested that pubs in the UK could save upwards of £12,000 in annual expenditure if they are allowed to acquire beer direct from UK breweries rather than from their parent companies. Whether there is a case to answer is open to debate but the GMB looks almost certain to become more heavily involved with strike action a real possibility.
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