Diageo workers call for face-to-face meeting with chief executive

Workers at Diageo's threatened Kilmarnock bottling plant have written to the boss of the drinks giant demanding to hear from him in person why he has rejected their proposals to save the facility.

According to Unite, the trade union heading the fight to save hundreds of jobs at the plant, staff have written to Diageo chief executive Paul Walsh "imploring him to meet with them by the end of this month so that he can tell the workforce personally why he is to close their historic plant with the loss of hundreds of jobs".

Unite said the workers were "devastated" that Diageo had "rejected out of hand an alternative business plan proposed by the trade unions, which would have saved a massive £80m for the company and led to significant efficiencies on the sites earmarked for closure".

When employee organisations and MPs presented alternative proposals to Diageo's plans to close the plant, which bottles Johnnie Walker whisky, the company rejected them saying they "didn't deliver a business model that would be good for either Diageo or Scotland".

In its letter to Walsh workers asked the chief executive to meet them and "account for the actions and decisions of Diageo. We also want to present you with the petition that has been signed by all your workers and the whole community within Kilmarnock, in the hope that you will change your mind.

"If we cannot persuade you to think again, at the very least you will be able to explain to us face to face why you believe there is no alternative."

A spokesman for Diageo said the company was considering its response to the workers' letter.