MSP denounced by Unite for supping at Diageo's table while workers'
jobs in peril
2nd September 2009
Unite, Scotland's biggest union, has today denounced Central
Fife MSP Tricia Marwick for accepting Diageo's hospitality while
hundreds of Scottish jobs hang in the balance.
As workers from across Diageo's Scottish plants gathered in
Edinburgh to ask MSPs for their support in their campaign to
prevent 900 job losses, contracting out of delivery workers on
inferior pay and terms, and the closure of the historic home of
Johnnie Walker, it emerged that Tricia Marwick had accepted
Diageo's invitation to attend the Johnnie Walker classic golf
tournament in Gleneagles, which ended last Sunday.
This was despite Unite's approach to all MSPs asking them, on
behalf of the Diageo workers, to reject the company's offers of
hospitality.
Unite regional secretary John Quigley has today (Wednesday)
written to Tricia Marwick, whose constituency covers Leven where
Diageo has a plant, to express in the strongest terms the
campaign's disappointment at her actions:
"We have made every effort to work with MSPs and party leaders
at Edinburgh to make sure they are in full possession of the facts
on this issue, and that they understand that Diageo's plans will
attack jobs and conditions across all its Scottish plants, Leven
included.
"Our aim is to stop this travesty from happening, and to date
the cross-party response has been strong and impressive - so for Ms
Marwick to then break away from this is yet a further betrayal of
Diageo's Scottish workforce.
"Tricia Marwick can be under no illusions about the deep anxiety
Diageo's workers are feeling at this time. They've given
loyalty and dedication to this company, helping it to become the
world's biggest drinks business, yet they are being repaid with an
unwarranted restructuring programme which will see many lose their
jobs.
"By supping at Diageo's table while workers fear for their
future Ms Marwick does no favours to the workers, including those
in her own constituency. There is a better way forward on
this, which is why we urge her now to uphold her own party's line
and work with all the community partners to put a halt to Diageo's
plans."
ENDS
For further information contact Peter Welsh on 0141 332 7321
The full text of John Quigley's letter is as follows:
Dear Ms Marwick
DIAGEO HOSPITALITY - JOHNNIE WALKER CHAMPIONSHIP
2009
I write to you following confirmation of your attendance at the
recent Johnnie Walker Golfing Championship at Gleneagles and your
acceptance of Diageo’s hospitality at this event.
As you well know, since the 1st July when Diageo announced
proposals for the loss of 900 jobs across its Scottish based
operations, Unite has been at the forefront of the campaign to save
these posts.
There has been a tremendous response from the Scottish public,
not least in the communities directly affected by these proposals,
and a vocal cross-party consensus in the Scottish parliament urging
Diageo not to make these cuts.
It is with great disappointment that I read your comments this week
in the East Fife Mail and also in the Dundee Courier that not only
confirmed your acceptance of Diageo’s invitation to Gleneagles but
also your expressed happiness to give support to the employer at
this time.
Even more frustrating are your quotes which state “In my view a
new bottling plant in Kilmarnock threatens the long-term future of
Leven…” and “there has been no consideration for any knock-on
effects for Leven if the Kilmarnock plant is to be saved.”
You will know that the Scottish government is currently
participating in a special task-force group for the purpose of
providing Diageo with a viable economic alternative to sustaining
these jobs across Scotland. Furthermore, Unite is currently
in the process of devising alternative proposals that we will also
present to the company and feed into the task-force
forum.
At the Scottish parliament on Wednesday 2nd September MSPs from
across the political spectrum signed-up to Unite’s campaign to keep
Diageo jobs in Scotland and to fundamentally oppose any proposals
that recommend closures, cuts or sub-contracting of posts –
irrespective of the site.
In light of this, I would suggest that your comments on this
matter not only do a great disservice to this cross-party campaign
but, more importantly, to the hundreds of workers and their
families who are battling to save their futures across Scotland,
including those in your constituency whom you claim to support.
I look forward to receiving your response.
Yours sincerely,
John Quigley,
Unite Scotland regional secretary
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