Diageo was this week beset by union strife as it unveiled controversial restructuring plans for its Scottish whisky facilities, including the loss of 900 jobs.
The plans consolidate Diageo's Scottish packaging operations to two sites, shutting down the historic Kilmarnock Johnnie Walker facility at a cost of 700 jobs. Johnnie Walker is the town's largest employer, with a connection to the city dating back to 1820.
The Port Dundas facility is also set to close, with 140 job losses, and a further 60 at risk from other consolidation. However, the £100m restructuring would create 400 jobs at the Fife packaging facility.
"We believe the plans announced will help secure the sustainability of our business in Scotland," said Diageo Scotland MD Bryan Donaghey.
However, unions warned the job losses would destroy the local economies of the affected areas, and also questioned whether Diageo needed to impose them.
"Diageo is the single-largest employer in Kilmarnock. Unite will not stand by as 900 jobs go and the region is turned into Scotland's unemployment black spot," said regional officer Jim Winters.
"We want a full, independent audit of Diageo's figures."
Unions were further riled when it emerged Diageo had already sought planning permission for new housing to be built on the site of the Kilmarnock factory. A spokesman for Diageo described the timing as "unfortunate".
Diageo's Guinness brewery in Ireland was also hit by industrial action this week, as a dispute between electricians and their contractor led to a picket of the site.
Diageo has secured an injunction against pickets until Monday after warning that disruption from strikes could hit production for up to a month.
"Diageo welcomes the decision by the High Court to extend the interim injunction until Monday 13 July," said a spokeswoman. "Both brewing and production at St James's Gate brewery were severely affected on Monday 6 July due to a picket."
The plans consolidate Diageo's Scottish packaging operations to two sites, shutting down the historic Kilmarnock Johnnie Walker facility at a cost of 700 jobs. Johnnie Walker is the town's largest employer, with a connection to the city dating back to 1820.
The Port Dundas facility is also set to close, with 140 job losses, and a further 60 at risk from other consolidation. However, the £100m restructuring would create 400 jobs at the Fife packaging facility.
"We believe the plans announced will help secure the sustainability of our business in Scotland," said Diageo Scotland MD Bryan Donaghey.
However, unions warned the job losses would destroy the local economies of the affected areas, and also questioned whether Diageo needed to impose them.
"Diageo is the single-largest employer in Kilmarnock. Unite will not stand by as 900 jobs go and the region is turned into Scotland's unemployment black spot," said regional officer Jim Winters.
"We want a full, independent audit of Diageo's figures."
Unions were further riled when it emerged Diageo had already sought planning permission for new housing to be built on the site of the Kilmarnock factory. A spokesman for Diageo described the timing as "unfortunate".
Diageo's Guinness brewery in Ireland was also hit by industrial action this week, as a dispute between electricians and their contractor led to a picket of the site.
Diageo has secured an injunction against pickets until Monday after warning that disruption from strikes could hit production for up to a month.
"Diageo welcomes the decision by the High Court to extend the interim injunction until Monday 13 July," said a spokeswoman. "Both brewing and production at St James's Gate brewery were severely affected on Monday 6 July due to a picket."
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