Unite accuses Diageo of being 'drunk' on greed as Scotland's
workers march to save jobs
24th July 2009
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 £2 billion last year - and wants still more. It is the
greed of a chief executive paid £5 million 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 it can throw hundreds of decent
working men and women on the dole without a fight to the end, then
it has been partaking of too much of its 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, Unite regional secretary John Quigley, and senior
Unite plant shop stewards Jim McGhee and Janette Dunbar.
ENDS
For further information or for interviews on the day please
contact Pauline Doyle on 07976 832861 or Karen Viquerat on 07768
931316.
Notes to Editors
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.
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