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Rally unites against Diageo
Trade union Unite has hinted at further action to come, after more than 20,000 people marched through Kilmarnock last Sunday in protest at Diageo’s decision to close the town’s Johnny Walker bottling plant.
Unite’s campaign is backed by the Scottish National Party, together with cross party support from a number of politicians, many of whom joined Sunday’s protest. Scottish first minister, Alex Salmond, addressed the crowd, describing the march as “another step forward” in the efforts to prevent the plant closure.
Len McCluskey, assistant general secretary for Unite, offered strong criticism of Diageo’s decision, saying: “These are job cuts driven by one thing only: greed.” McCluskey then proceeded to offer a warning for the drinks giant of the community’s ongoing determination to fight its decision:
“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.”
Unite is now working with the GMB general union and Scottish Enterprise, an agency funded largely by the Scottish government, to draw up an alternative business plan to secure jobs.
Diageo has agreed to listen to any options presented, although the company applied several months ago for planning permission to convert the Kilmarnock plant into luxury flats. These Scottish closure plans, which also include the company’s distillery in Port Dundas, Glasgow, are expected to save Diageo a total of £20 million each year.
Gabriel Savage, 29.07.09