MSPs Join Diageo Workers to Take the Pledge to Fight for Scottish Jobs

GLASGOW - MSPs from all parties are being invited to sign an oversized pledge card ahead of a major ministerial statement on Diageo’s proposed restructuring in Scotland, which would slash 900 jobs and is being fiercely opposed by Unite the union. The sign up marks the start of a day when the Scottish Parliament itself will put Diageo’s restructuring plans under the spotlight.

The MSPs will join workers from across Diageo’s Scottish sites this Wednesday (September 2nd) who will be lobbying the Scottish Parliament for support to save jobs, safeguard the future of all Diageo’s Scottish sites, stop the contracting out of delivery workers on inferior terms and prevent closure of the historic Johnnie Walker plant in Kilmarnock.

At 2pm on Wednesday a ministerial statement on the plans is expected, while at 5pm the Scottish Parliament will also hold a Member’s Debate, prompted by Patricia Ferguson MSP, on Diageo’s plans.

Leading the lobby on behalf of the workers, Jackson Cullinane, Unite’s deputy Scottish secretary, said: “We’ve had people the length and breadth of the country contact us, outraged by Diageo’s betrayal of Scotland.

“It is a mark of how deeply these restructuring plans have shaken Scotland that our legislators are to put them under the spotlight. We will be saying clearly to MSPs that these proposals do not stand up to scrutiny - and we know that they won’t be fooled by them either.

“Diageo pocketed in over GBP2 billion in pure profit this year, and the same again last year, so these changes are in no way about saving a company on its knees. This is about corporate greed, plain and simple, and we must not stand by while this brings ruin to Scotland’s communities.”

Unite representatives and Diageo workers will be available to speak to the media.

Source: Unite the Union

For further information, please contact Pauline Doyle (London) on +44(0)7976-832-861 or Peter Welsh (Glasgow) on +44(0)781-057-931