Union calls on Scottish MPs to join fight to save 900 Diageo jobs
Unite, the UK's largest union, has called on Scottish MPs to back its fight to save more than 900 jobs at Diageo plants threatened with closure as part of the drink giant's restructuring plans.
The distillery produces brands including Johnnie Walker whisky, and Unite says the 900 jobs will go if Diageo closes plants in Kilmarnock and Port Dundas and cuts jobs in Shieldhall.
Unite said it was leading the campaign to stop Diageo job cuts in Scotland and was writing "directly to politicians across all parties in Scotland urging them to join forces with them to save jobs and stop the closure of both sites".
Len McCluskey, Unite's assistant general secretary, said: "Our members are standing up to Diageo bosses in their fight to save jobs and to save a big part of Scottish heritage.
"The support of MPs to workers as they fight for a future will be welcome because now is the time to pull together.
"Diageo is an internationally renowned name. It must not tarnish that good name by being responsible for consigning entire Scottish communities to the dustbin so I appeal to them now to work with Unite to save the jobs of its loyal workforce today, and the jobs for their sons and daughters tomorrow."
A spokesman for Diageo said the company "understood, recognised and respected the feelings of the affected communities" over the proposed job cuts, but that the restructuring was the best plan for the future of the business and the 4,000 workers employed by the group.
The spokesman confirmed a third consultation meeting between Diageo's senior management team and representatives of Unite and GMB unions would take place tomorrow (July 15).
