Supermarket wine shortage looms as Encirc glass workers in Bristol strike

Unite the union press release

For immediate distribution - 18 June 2025

Supermarket wine shortage looms as Encirc glass workers in Bristol strike

Unite members at glass filling and distribution take action from this week over pay

There is set to be shortages of bottled, box and bags of wine on supermarket shelves this summer as over 200 Unite members at the Encirc site in Avonmouth, Bristol strike over pay and collective bargaining.

Members at the factory work across different areas, including bottling and packaging red, white, rose and sparkling wine and distributing it from warehouses. Encirc supplies all the major supermarkets with wine, which is the most popular alcoholic drink in the UK.

Encirc is a very profitable company, with a turnover of over £600 million. However, the firm has only offered its workers a 3.2 per cent pay rise without negotiating with Unite - the recognised union - and has now repeatedly stated from now on it will only give pay rises tied to inflation.

This effectively means removing Unite's collective bargaining rights, as any pay increases will be set by Encirc without negotiations before being imposed on workers. Previously, the union had been able to negotiate with management on pay.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Encirc's meanness to its workers is all about greed and not need. This is a very lucrative company that can fully afford to pay its workers properly but it is choosing not to.

"Unite will not stand idly by and allow Encric to steal our members hard won rights. Encirc workers deserve better and they have Unite’s full support throughout this dispute."

Unite members at Encirc, overwhelmingly voted to take strike action. Strikes will take place between 19 June and 5 July, with workers in different parts of the business taking strike action on different dates and times according to production schedules to have the biggest impact. There will also be a 12 week overtime ban as part of the action.

Encirc asked for negotiations with conciliation service Acas, which Unite agreed to. However workers were then offered a worse deal than that which had already been rejected.

Unite regional officer John Sweeney said: "There is no doubt that this action will hit supermarket shelves. While shortages may be frustrating for customers looking to enjoy a bottle of wine this summer, the situation is entirely of Encirc's own making.

“Management has constantly refused to engage meaningfully. Encirc needs to return to the negotiating table with a vastly improved offer."

ENDS