Diago - We Can Win!

Rally 'puts pressure' on Diageo

Yesterday's march and rally against Diageo's plans to cut 900 jobs has forced the company to pay attention to public opposition said Jim Winters.

20,000 people took part in the demonstration in Kilmarnock. The size of the demo, surprised many union members.

Jim Winters of Unite told BBC Scotland: "I think yesterday's march and rally was a clear demonstration of the depth of feeling, not only in Kilmarnock, but across Scotland. There is an air of confidence that this can be won. However, we are dealing with a real serious business acumen. We are dealing with people who look to rationalise their company, as it stands currently, in order to ensure that their sustainability within the market place in Scotland remains. I think there will be further marches and rallies. The unions will look to keep the pressure on the company in order to ensure that this remains firmly on the radar at all times."

Alex Salmond addressed rally and said the march marked "another step forward" in the campaign to keep the plant open.
Scottish Enterprise, the government's enterprise agency, is co-ordinating an effort to draw up a plan for an alternative to closure. The company has said it will co-operate with that effort and listen to its conclusions.

Diageo has said the company believes its closure plans should save £20m each year, from an investment of £100m.