Belgium: AB InBev in talks with unions after breweries return to work

Anheuser-Busch InBev is in talks with unions after staff staging a blockade of breweries in Belgium returned to work, local media reported on December 6.

The company said its Belgium production sites went back to production in the evening on December 5. Discussions with unions were scheduled to take place on December 6.

According to media reports, staff at AB InBev's breweries in Jupille and Leuven blockaded the sites from the afternoon of December 2. Unions and the company are in dispute over guarantee of income in the event of dismissal, the Brussels Times reported.

In September, drinks giant Diageo averted industrial action at its Scottish production facilities after securing a last-minute deal with trade unions. The Scottish sites handled bottling, maturation and distillery operations for Diageo brands including Johnnie Walker, Gordon's gin and Smirnoff vodka.

AB InBev's Leuven brewery produces a number of brands including Stella Artois. The Jupille brewery is best known for Belgian beer Jupiler.

06 December, 2019