COFFEY - DIAGEO CAMPAIGN MUST STAY FOCUSSED

COFFEY - DIAGEO CAMPAIGN MUST STAY FOCUSSED

DIAGEO REFUSE TO DELAY JOB TRANSFER

GLASGOW SNP TO MEET PORT DUNDAS BOSSES

SNP MSP for Kilmarnock Willie Coffey has called for the campaign to save
Diageo jobs to stay focussed as Diageo refused a request to delay the
transfer of 64 workers from the plant at Hurlford to a different company
based in Linwood– the first phase of closing Diageo’s sites.

In an email to Mr Coffey Diageo stated; “Our proposal is to transfer the
business in two tranches - the first in or around September 2009, and the
rest by the end of January 2010 and we will cease operating at the site by
31 January 2010” adding that as workers are being transferred “this
decision is not subject to consultation with Diageo”

In further action SNP MSP for Glasgow Bob Doris will continue the joint
campaign to save Diageo jobs in Scotland when he meets management at the
Port Dundas distillery in Glasgow later today.

Kilmarnock MSP Willie Coffey said;

“There are 64 jobs due to be moved from Diageo in Hurlford to an outside
company in Linwood in September – the first phase of Diageo’s plans to
shut down their Ayrshire sites.

“Diageo’s behaviour to their workforce is increasingly questionable. It
is outrageous that while discussions could still be taking place on
alternative proposals workers will be being marched out of the door.

“Diageo claims this is a transfer so it does not have to deal with
redundancy – but many of these workers may not be able to take up the jobs
in Linwood.

“Despite the wider campaign and alternative proposals coming forward it
seems Diageo are not willing to wait and will be transferring these jobs
in September no matter what.

“I have asked for a delay and a real consultation with these workers but
Diageo are currently refusing to make that happen.”

Commenting on the campaign to save the jobs in Diageo Mr Coffey said it
must not be distracted by petty politics.

“This campaign is about two things rallying the public in support of the
jobs at Johnnie Walker and Port Dundas and producing an alternative
proposal to show Diageo that the plant and distillery are not only viable
but an integral part of their business.

“Over the last week politicians of all parties have joined employees,
trade unions and local communities to speak out against the closure –
working together toward an alternative proposal that the First Minister
will put forward to Diageo.

“I am deeply disappointed to see others trying to break that coalition and
will not let it happen.

SNP Trade Union Group’s Malcolm Balfour added;

“To maximise its chance of success, the joint campaign must remain firmly
united, so it was disappointing that individuals yesterday indulged in
petty, political mischief making with a misinformed and baseless attack
on the First Minister.

“The unions, Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise, East Ayrshire and
Glasgow Councils and politicians from all the parties must work on a
consensual and co-ordinated basis.

“The only way to persuade Diageo to reverse their closure plans and save
the workforce is to put politics aside, work together and present Diageo
with a viable alternative business plan.”