Diageo profits leap proves no case for destroying Scottish jobs
27th August 2009
Reacting to the release today by drinks giant Diageo of its
yearly results, which reveal a leap in operating profits of 10
percent to £2.443 billion, Len McCluskey, assistant general
secretary of Unite, said: "Even in a global recession, Diageo can
pull in billions of pounds in pure profit. Surely now Diageo's
claims that it must cut Scottish jobs to reduce costs can be seen
once and for all for what they are - about short-term greed, not
long-term need .
"For 185 years, generations of Scotland's workers have delivered
for this company. Their hard work has made this company
extraordinarily wealthy and its products loved around the
world.
"They deserve better than to be thrown on the scrapheap to sate
Diageo's thirst for yet ever more profits.
"CEO Paul Walsh may claim to be 'comfortable' with his plans to
cut jobs but there is a way forward, where efficiencies can be
delivered for the company but without devastating Scottish
communities by putting people out of work, and we urge Diageo to
work with us now on this more socially responsible approach."
Unite is leading the fight to halt Diageo's plans to close its
historic Johnnie Walker site in Kilmarnock, close its distillery
and cooperage at Port Dundas, slash jobs at its bottling plant in
Glasgow and transfer its drivers at the Hurlford and Elgin plants
to a third party on poorer terms. Unite says these plans suggest
the company is not serious about a long term future for its other
Scottish workers, including those at its Shieldhall and Leven
plants.
Today, Unite will be taking its campaign to halt the
restructuring plans to Gleneagles where the Johnnie Walker Classic
Golf Tournament gets underway. Next Wednesday (September 2nd), a
specially-convened debate on Diageo's restructuring plans will be
held in the Scottish parliament.
ENDS
For further information, call Pauline Doyle on 07976 832 861
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