Diageo is being urged to work with employees and trade unions to avoid compulsory redundancies after proposed job losses raised concerns for workers at whisky distilleries in Speyside and elsewhere in Scotland.
Moray representatives Laura Mitchell MSP and Graham Leadbitter MP issued a joint statement following meetings with representatives from the GMB union and Diageo over the company’s redundancy proposals.
The two politicians acknowledged the global pressures currently facing the Scotch whisky industry, but argued that compulsory redundancies should be avoided where alternative arrangements can be agreed with employees.
They also renewed their criticism of increases in UK taxation on Scotch whisky, which they argue have added further pressure to an industry already facing difficult international trading conditions.
Mitchell and Leadbitter said:
“There are undeniable global pressures on the Scotch Whisky industry that have contributed to the difficult situation it now finds itself in.
“That’s why we’ve both campaigned consistently for more domestic action to alleviate those pressures, including by calling for cuts to the Westminster government’s repeated tax hikes on Scotch Whisky products.
“However, following meetings with both representatives from the GMB union, and Diageo, we’re disappointed the company is proposing a swathe of compulsory redundancies that disproportionately impacts workers in Speyside.
“It’s clear trade union representatives and the workforce believe changes can be made through a voluntary scheme, and by Diageo choosing to work with its workforce rather than against.
“We of course don’t want to see any job losses in Speyside, given the impact on the local community, economy, and our iconic whisky industry.
“Diageo must engage meaningfully with our highly-skilled still workers and their union representatives, as other companies have done, to prevent the need for compulsory redundancies.”
The potential loss of whisky industry jobs is particularly significant for Speyside, where distilling and its extensive supply chain remain an important part of the local economy and provide skilled employment across communities throughout Moray.
The intervention from Mitchell and Leadbitter puts the emphasis firmly on discussions between Diageo, its employees and trade union representatives as the redundancy process continues.
Their position is that any changes required by the company should first explore voluntary measures before compulsory job losses are considered, with both representatives calling on Diageo to engage meaningfully with its workforce in an effort to protect jobs in Speyside.
