COFFEY - DIAGEO CAMPAIGN MUST STAY FOCUSSED

DIAGEO REFUSE TO DELAY JOB TRANSFER

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.”

DIAGEO CAMPAIGN PICKS UP SPEED

COFFEY RAISES CONCERN OVER HURLFORD WORKERS

Willie Coffey and Bob Doris have continued their campaign to keep the Diageo facilities in Kilmarnock and Port Dundas open.

Kilmarnock MSP Willie Coffey today met with trade union representatives at the Johnnie Walker plant and is writing to Diageo seeking a review of the timescales in which they plan to transfer workers from the Hurlford consolidation warehouse in Ayrshire to Malcolms, an external company.

The online petition launched by Mr Coffey has now reached over 4,000 signatures with at least 2,000 more collected locally and more people signing up by the minute.

Mr Coffey said;

"I met with the trade unions and employees this morning as I did last week when the news came through. Even though they are still in a state of shock, their commitment to a positive campaign to reverse this decision is impressive.

"This is not just about the Johnnie Walker plant in Kilmarnock.

"Of immediate concern is the fate of those workers at Hurlford that Diageo wish to transfer out of the company.

"I have real concerns about the way in which Diageo are looking to transfer these staff and the timescales they are using and will be raising these concerns with the management at Diageo."

"The support that has been received from the Scottish Government, the council and the local community and the willingness of all those involved to work together to make Diageo see sense is essential to turning this disastrous decision round.

"With the petition reaching new heights people across Ayrshire, Scotland and around the world are sending a clear message to Diageo that the Johnnie Walker plant must stay at Kilmarnock and stay open."

SNP MSP for Glasgow Bob Doris who will meet Diageo at Port Dundas this week said;

“I have been in touch with the Scottish Government today and will be meeting Diageo this week to put the case for Port Dundas to remain open and to ensure those working at Port Dundas receive proper treatment from the company.

"It is vital that in Glasgow as in Kilmarnock the battle to keep Diageo jobs is fought as a united front across all parties working with the trade unions, the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and the Local council to secure Glasgow and Scotland’s jobs.”