Unite Accuses Diageo of Being ‘Drunk’ on Greed as Scotland’s Workers March to Save Jobs

LONDON and GLASGOW, Scotland -

On Sunday 26th July, Unite the union, will lead thousands of people from across Scotland in a march to defend Diageo jobs and the nation’s whisky heritage.

The march through the centre of Kilmarnock will unite ordinary people across Scotland who are outraged by Diageo’s cold-hearted dismissal of a workforce which has built their worldwide reputation as it pursues ever-greater profits. Unite, which is leading the campaign to save Diageo jobs at Kilmarnock, Port Dundas, Hurlford, Shieldhall and Elgin plants, says the region will be devastated if Diageo pulls the plug on 900 jobs at the Kilmarnock bottling plant and forces through its restructuring for the other sites.

Speaking at the rally Unite assistant general secretary, Len McCluskey will say: “These are job cuts driven by one thing only: greed. This is a company drunk on greed. It is making mega-profits - more than two billion pounds last year - and wants still more. It is the greed of a chief executive paid five million pounds last year and looking to fund next year’s bonus out of the hides of working men and women here in Scotland.

“Well, we have news for Diageo and its boardroom. The days of “greed is good” are over. Unite is not going to accept that these jobs are going and the communities depending on them will be destroyed.

“And we know, Mr Walsh, that you and your managers have been plotting this betrayal for months now. While these workers have been delivering for you day in, day out, you’ve been scheming how to axe them.

“But if this company thinks they can throw hundreds of decent working men and women on the dole without a fight to the end, then they have been partaking of too much of their merchandise.

Unite is now working with the GMB and the Scottish Executive on an alternative business plan which will keep jobs and work in Scotland. The unions are pressing for full engagement in the Scottish Executive alternative business plan to ensure that saving jobs and securing the future for Diageo in Scotland takes centre place. Unite is also working to ensure MPs in Westminster and MSPs across Scotland get behind the one campaign and force Diageo to listen.

Len McCluskey will continue: “Diageo, it is time to sober up. Today Scotland is united behind your workforce, who have served Diageo so loyally for generations and built your reputation worldwide on their hard graft, to say we will not stand aside while you destroy communities and shut plants which are efficient and profitable. It would be a crime for them to close and we will not let this happen.”

Workers and the families will be carrying placards saying “Johnnie Don’t Walker Out on Kilmarnock”, “Fight to Keep Diageo Jobs in Scotland” and “Diageo Don’t Desert Kilmarnock” as part of the campaign to stop 900 workers losing their jobs. The march has been organised by East Ayrshire Council.

Speakers at the rally include Unite assistant general secretary Len McCluskey, regional secretary John Quigley, and senior Unite plant shop stewards Jim McGhee and Janette Dunbar.

Notes to Editor

Workers will gather at Howard Park on Sunday 26th July and begin the march at 1.00 pm. The marchers will head up John Finnie Street and under the arches at the railway station to Hill Street where they will march past the Johnnie Walker factory.

The march will then head to Witch Road, down Dean Lane onto Strawberry Road finishing at the Kay Park at approximately 2.30 pm with a mass rally.

The rally in Kay Park will include entertainment for all the family including music face painting and bouncy castles and there will be refreshments available

Source: Unite the Union

For further information or for interviews on the day please contact Pauline Doyle on +44(0)7976832861 or Karen Viquerat on +44(0)7768931316