The workers voted by a margin of 97% in favour of strike action in the dispute over the management’s proposals, which include axing the wages of 184 brewery technicians by up to £9,000 a year.
Talks between the management of Britain’s biggest brewery and Unite, the country’s largest union, representing the staff, are ongoing at a secret location.
The dispute centres on the 455-strong workforce at the brewery being sacked after 10 June and reemployed on ‘inferior pay and conditions’.
A spokesman for Molson Coors said: “Clearly, we are disappointed by today’s announcement. However, this vote does not make strike action a certainty given that negotiations are ongoing. We continue our engagement in meaningful consultation with Unite and its members so that we come to a solution that supports a competitive future for Burton brewery and is fair to our employees.
“As a company, we have strong contingency plans in place to ensure that we can fulfil our customers’ orders.
“The proposals we put to workers are part of tough decisions that we have taken across the whole business, which are necessary to ensure a sustainable future for Molson Coors in Burton.”
The Burton plant produces Carling, Grolsch, Coors Lite and Cobra lagers, as well as beers including Worthington, White Shield and Stones.
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