Diageo workers vote yes for action to save jobs
30th October 2010
Unite members at three leading Diageo sites in Scotland have
today (Friday) voted overwhelmingly to back a ballot on industrial
action.
The results of a consultative ballot conducted by the union,
reveal that workers at the Kilmarnock, Shieldhall and Port Dundas
plants have given a resounding thumbs up to a full strike
ballot.
At the Kilmarnock plant, the historic home of Johnnie Walker
where workers are battling to save 700 jobs and a 180-year
distilling tradition, workers voted by 87 percent to back a full
industrial ballot. At Shieldhall, 75 percent voted for an
industrial action ballot, while at Port Dundas, nine out of ten
workers (90 percent) said yes to going ahead with a full
ballot.
Jennie Formby, Unite national officer for the food and drinks
sector, praised the workers' courage: "Diageo's management need to
start listening because these workers are telling them very loudly
that they are determined to fight for their jobs and a fairer
deal. By effectively ending negotiations last week, Diageo
gave our members very little option but to vote yes in this
consultative ballot.
"Our members have taken a courageous stand today - they have
stood up to a global giant and told it they won't stand by while
Diageo throws hundreds of people on the scrapheap.
"Time and again, we have appealed to Diageo to think again on
its drastic restructuring plans because there is another way
forward. Once again, we urge Diageo's management to pull back
from these plans. Act like a responsible business and put the
jobs and communities of the people who built you before short-term
greed."
Unite is now preparing to start the full industrial action
ballot of the workforce at the three sites.
ENDS
For further information, please contact Pauline Doyle on 07976
832 861
Notes to Editors: The results of the consultative action
ballot are as follows:
- Kilmarnock 87 per cent yes vote - 410 yes to action, 64 no
- Shieldhall 75 per cent yes vote - 258 yes to action, 86 no
- Port Dundas 90 per cent yes vote - 26 yes to action, 3 no
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