Hoffa Joins Diageo Fight

US trade union chief Jimmy Hoffa joins fight to save Scots whisky jobs

US Teamsters trade union President Jimmy Hoffa has joined the fight to save 900 whisky jobs from the axe.

Hoffa, has written to Diageo chief executive Paul Walsh warning him of the "catastrophic economic consequences" of the firm's plans.

Diageo want to shut their Johnnie Walker bottling plant in Kilmarnock, with the loss of 700 jobs.
They also want to close the historic Port Dundas distillery and cooperage in Glasgow, with more jobs expected to go at other sites across the country.

In his letter to Walsh, Hoffa accuses Diageo of having "antiworker policies" and says the firm's international sales could be hit if the closures go ahead.
Hoffa, whose legendary dad Jimmy also led the Teamsters, said: "The strong association for consumers in the US with quality whisky, Scotland and the Johnnie Walker brand won't have the same appeal if it becomes associated with blighted communities."

The Teamsters union have 1.4million members in America and have been headed up by 68-year-old Hoffa since 1999.
His controversial father led the union for 13 years, the last four from a jail cell,where he was serving time for jury tampering and attempted bribery.

He was released in 1971 but disappeared four years later and is presumed dead.

News of Hoffa Jnr's involvement in the campaign to save the threatened Scots workers emerged as politicians and union leaders held a summit in Glasgow.

They were told that their campaign has also won the backing of the American Food and Commercial Workers Union.

Jackson Cullinaine, a regional officer with the Unite union, said they now wanted to enlist even more international support for their fight to save the JohnnieWalker staff.

He said: "We want to increase the pressure on the company.While our campaign will continue to build on the tremendous support we have in Scotland, we are now moving to an international plane to directly target Diageo and their chief executive."

An independent report, backed by the Scottish government and enterprise bosses, into how Diageo's presence in Kilmarnock and Glasgow could be maintained, is due to be published next week.

Patricia Ferguson, Labour MSP for Glasgow Maryhill, attended yesterday's meeting and said those fighting the job cuts were "more united than ever".

She said:"The staff at Port Dundas and Kilmarnock stand shoulder to shoulder with each other in their determination to save their jobs and as politicians, our job is to support them. There is now renewed momentum in the campaign, and we are moving to the next stage."