DRINKS giant Chivas is facing a staff walkout after Acas talks aimed at solving a pay dispute collapsed.

Workers at the whisky firm’s Paisley and Dumbarton plants voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action after the French - owned company failed to meet their pay demands.

Unite union had called for a “decent pay increase and harmonisation of pay between sites”, and had rejected a Chivas offer of a multi-year deal.

However an attempt to settle the dispute at conciliatory service ACAS collapsed, sparking the strike ballot.

Yesterday union members at the Chivas site at Paisley voted by 76.4 per cent for strike action and 81.9 per cent for action short of strike.

Unite regional coordinating officer, Elaine Dougall said the ballot showed the strength of feeling among staff, and accused the firm of showing “little respect” for the rules of negotiation. .

“The workers are not for turning,” she said.

“There is a real strength of feeling and they are not prepared to let this happen. The profit per employee for 2016 is £171,000 - so it is not as if there is not money.”

A Chivas Brothers spokesperson said: “We’re disappointed that trade union members have taken the decision to strike.

After a period of constructive and transparent negotiation with employee representatives, we have made several significant improvements and firmly believe our pay offer – which exceeds the rate of inflation in the UK - is fair and reasonable and ensures that our employees have a highly competitive salary and benefits package.”