GMB union launches ballot on direct action over beer tie
Battle lines are being drawn in the dispute between the major pub companies and their tenants over the beer tie, with the GMB union launching an official ballot on potential industrial action.
Following the failure of the Campaign for Real Ale to persuade the Office of Fair Trading to rule that the beer tie was anti-competitive last year, the GMB said "direct action" was the only answer to secure negotiations with the pubcos.
The trade union has now confirmed that it will organise a nationwide official ballot to seek a mandate for official industrial action by tied tenant members in the industry.
The GMB said that the average tied pub was overcharged by around £12,000 a year for beer supplied by its landlord and that action taken after a ‘yes' vote could include an organised ‘buying out' programme.
Paul Maloney, GMB national officer, said: "The aim of the action by the tied tenants is to secure negotiation with pubcos to achieve very substantial cuts in wholesale prices and a resolution to a wide range of grievances experienced by the tied tenants at the hands of the pubcos middle managers and their agents like Brulines."
But, in a statement, Punch said that, unlike conventional commercial landlords, it provides financial support for our partners - currently amounting to £2m per month
"In the last year, we have supported over 3,000 of our partners," it said. "Our advice to Punch licensees is that they speak to their Business Relationship Manager about the issues affecting their business so that we can look to provide support."
Punch warned that licensees considering taking strike action should seek legal advice and "think carefully" before taking any action which may breach their contracts.
David Elliott, managing director of Greene King Pub Partners, added: "Greene King has a strong relationship with our licensees built over a long period of time. We would be very disappointed if any of our licensees chose to join such a campaign and we would hope that we could resolve any issues directly with them."
Government says it is too early to respond to complaints about pubcos >>
Pubcos warn tied tenants over beer tie dispute >>
Rebel publicans threaten beer and rent strike >>
Beer tie row rumbles on >>
By Daniel Thomas
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