Johnnie don’t Walker out -
keep Diageo jobs in Scotland
"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. "
Jennie Formby
Unite members at three leading Diageo sites in Scotland have
voted overwhelmingly to back a ballot on industrial action. Read
the full press release:
Diageo workers vote yes for action to save jobs
Following the devastating announcements made on 1 July,
Unite has been working day and night on the fight back to save
Diageo jobs in Scotland.
Click the bottle below to send a message to Diageo's
CEO.
Unite has already supported a
march and rally involving around 20,000 people for Diageo workers
fighting to keep their jobs after the company announced 900 job
cuts across plants in Scotland including the historic Johnnie
Walker packaging plant in Kilmarnock and Port Dundas distillery in
Glasgow.
Diageo is immensely wealthy and
highly profitable drinks transnational, the loss of these
jobs in the Scottish home of the famous Johnny Walker brand,
together with redundancies on other sites and outsourcing of part
of their logistics operations is scandalous.
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Last year, Diageo made a cool £2,226
million in profits and CEO Paul Walsh walked home with a fat £5
million in his pay packet, yet now they want to cut Scotland's jobs
to make more profits.
Unite, together with GMB, has launched
this campaign against the job cuts and trade unionists
everywhere can help by writing to CEO Paul Walsh to urge him to
think again. Follow the links here to see how else you can
make a difference and show solidarity with Diageo workers in
Scotland.
Don't forget to show your
support here - make sure you vote in our poll.
Here are a few comments on why people signed our letter
to Diageo’s CEO.
"As a Scot myself I know the Johnnie Walker brand well and know
that the workers share great pride in this brand, supporting it
throughout the years and working with their heart and soul to
ensure the name Johnnie Walker is regarded highly worldwide. Surely
now Paul Walsh can search his heart and soul for the communities
who have served faithfully for the brand of Johnnie Walker."
Sylvia, Surrey
"Products like Johnny Walker sell because of tradition and
history. How can closing its home and outsourcing work
elsewhere enhance those unique selling points."
Andrew, Mid Glamorgan
"This sort of corporate greed must stop, it has happened at my
company (Cadbury). The people of this country must pull together
and put an end to this, especially when it's a huge profit making
company."
Lee, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire
"I used to live in Elgin in Scotland. I know that Elgin has a
Diageo connection and I also knew people that worked in a
distillery owned at that time by Diageo. I know how little
employment there is in the area and how difficult it can be to find
work there. I can’t believe that the company would turn their back
on the communities that have served them so well and help make the
company what it is. Its a real stab in the back for the local
labour force. Diageo you should be ashamed of yourself."
Andy, Northampton
"The Whisky I once loved now leaves a very bitter taste in my
mouth and after reading your letter if there is no change of
attitudes I shall replace with another Brand name!"
David, Suffolk
"To give my support to my fellow Union member Georgina.
These companies are so short sighted, they are doing well and still
want to destroy their loyal work force. Good luck Georgina."
Trevor, Llandudno, Gwynedd
"Destroying the heritage that your 'product' holds and the place
in our hearts as a traditional Scottish drink. This will reduce
Johnnie Walker to another simple brand to which no customer will
feel connected or loyalty towards."
Christopher, County Antrim
"I have been buying Johnnie Walker for over 40 years and as a
customer I wholeheartedly endorse all the points and sentiments in
the letter. In today's world not many companies can boast employees
who take pride in their work and are willing to accommodate
changes. These two things should form the keystone for building a
brighter future in Scotland."
Jenny, Nottinghamshire
"It is important to keep jobs in local communities who have
served the companies for many years and through many family
generations."
Ann
“Because I feel very strongly that peoples livelihoods should come
before vast corporate profits, OK I understand that companies have
to make profits, which the company is well capable of doing without
theses job cuts, and the loss of all these skills to our
country.”
Aidan
"I am a union member
involved with the Vestas Workers
and will sign up to any
form of workers' solidarity against
aggressive and greedy employers"
Alan, GMB Member, Hampshire
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