Unite prepares to mount campaign to save Diageo jobs

3 July 2009

Following the announcement on that 900 jobs are to be slashed at drinks firm Diageo, Unite, the UK's largest union, is challenging the company to produce a detailed rationale for the swingeing cuts to its Kilmarnock and Port Dundas plants.

The union is urging the company, which produces famous-name brands such as Tanquerary gin and Johnnie Walker whisky, to come clean on why it intends to shed so many workers by producing a detailed financial audit of its trading performance.

Jim Winter, Unite regional industrial officer, said: "Diageo's cuts will devastate these communities, so the very least they owe these loyal workers is a proper explanation of why they are to be thrown on the scrapheap. We want a full, independent audit of Diageo's figures because we believe the company does not need to pursue such drastic action and we fully intend to fight to defend these jobs.

"Diageo is the single largest employer in Kilmarnock. Unite will not stand by as 900 jobs go and a region is turned into Scotland's unemployment black spot.

"The site has been in existence since 1810 where it has produced the famous Johnnie Walker whisky. Hundreds of families work for this company so these threatened closures will decimate this community."

Len McCluskey, Unite assistant general secretary added: "Diageo members have our full support and we shall be building the momentum of our campaign over the days and weeks to come."

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