Diageo unions step up fight for Scottish jobs
Trade unions at Diageo have vowed to step up their campaign to save jobs across the drinks giant's Scottish operations.
The reaction comes after yesterday's announcement by the company to reject the Scottish Government's alternative business plan and proceed with the closure of its Kilmarnock and Port Dundas sites at a cost of 900 local jobs.
Unite and the GMB unions have met with employees in the last 24 hours following the firm's announcement.
Unite national officer for the food and retail sector, Jennie Formby, said: "If Diageo think trade union members are going to meekly accept this decision to strip away their livelihoods in the pursuit of corporate greed then they are very much mistaken.
"The joint trade unions have met over the last 24 hours and the collective resolve to continue the fight for these jobs has only been intensified. We have 100% unity among the workforce across every Scottish site, from Kilmarnock to Leven, and our anger is tangible.
"By announcing the closure of the Kilmarnock and Port Dundas sites before the end of the 90-day statutory consultation process Diageo could not have insulted this workforce any more. We have requested an extension to the consultation process and will continue to fight for every possible alternative approach.
"Our members can be assured that we will exhaust every avenue and strain every sinew to save these jobs - this campaign still has a very long way to go and we are more than up for the fight."
