Diageo Profits Leap Proves no Case for Destroying Scottish Jobs

September 8th, 2009 LONDON - Diageo's announcement today (Wednesday 9th September) to reject proposals by the Scottish Government that would safeguard jobs has outraged Unite, the UK's biggest union. Unite is also furious that Diageo has made the announcement before the conclusion of the 90-day consultation period.

September 1st, 2009 GLASGOW - In the news release, "MSPs Join Diageo Workers to Take the Pledge to Fight for Scottish Jobs" issued on 1 Sep 2009 10:11 GMT, by Unite the Union over PR Newswire, we are advised by a representative of the company that the media contact information has changed and the MSP's name in the third paragraph should have read Willie Coffey rather than Patricia Ferguson as originally issued inadvertently. Complete, corrected release follows: MSPs from all parties are being invited to sign an oversized pledge card ahead of a major ministerial statement on Diageo's proposed restructuring in Scotland, which would slash 900 jobs and is being fiercely opposed by Unite the union.

August 31st, 2009 GLASGOW - MSPs from all parties are being invited to sign an oversized pledge card ahead of a major ministerial statement on Diageo's proposed restructuring in Scotland, which would slash 900 jobs and is being fiercely opposed by Unite the union. The sign up marks the start of a day when the Scottish Parliament itself will put Diageo's restructuring plans under the spotlight.

August 24th, 2009 LONDON - Unite union has sharply criticised Lloyds Banking Group's (LBG) confused management style today (25th August) as the bank announces over 200 job losses in its general insurance arm, bringing the total job cuts at the bank to 7,500 this year. Only last week LBG decided to abandon the closure of the Cheltenham and Gloucester branches bringing reprieve for 900 staff.

July 24th, 2009 LONDON and GLASGOW, Scotland - On Sunday 26th July, Unite the union, will lead thousands of people from across Scotland in a march to defend Diageo jobs and the nation's whisky heritage. The march through the centre of Kilmarnock will unite ordinary people across Scotland who are outraged by Diageo's cold-hearted dismissal of a workforce which has built their worldwide reputation as it pursues ever-greater profits.

June 16th, 2009 FALLS CHURCH, Virginia - Company Signs Supply Chain Management Contract and IT Outsourcing Contract Extension CSC (NYSE: CSC) today announced that it has been selected to design, develop and implement a new worldwide supply chain management solution for Diageo, the world's leading premium alcoholic drinks company that includes brands such as Johnnie Walker, Guinness and Smirnoff. The 4.5-year agreement has an estimated value of US$7 million.

April 28th, 2009 LONDON - Following the news today that Midlands-based van manufacturer LDV will go into administration on May 6th with the loss of around 900 jobs directly and thousands more in the wider supply chain, Tony Woodley, joint general secretary of Unite said: "Two months ago I warned that without rapid intervention to support LDV while it sought a new buyer, the company would collapse. "Unless the government acts to provide a small but vital aid package of just GBP4 million, barely a year's bonus for a bailed-out banker, then LDV will go into administration on May 6th - and take with it thousands of jobs in our manufacturing heartland.

March 12th, 2009 LONDON - Unite the union which represents hundreds of Forest Commission workers has today welcomed the Scottish Government's announcement to abandon proposals to lease up to 25% of Scottish woodlands to private companies. Unite, the UK's largest trade union, has also reiterated its call for the Scottish Government to also abandon its proposals to scarp the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board (SAWB) which protects the terms and conditions and sets the wage levels for 25,000 workers in Scotland's agricultural sector.

March 11th, 2009 LONDON - Unite, the UK's largest union, reacted angrily today (Thursday) to the growing threat to jobs at United Biscuits' Liverpool site posed by a restructuring programme which could see 125 jobs offshored to India. The move has shocked workers because it is in stark contrast to the record company profits announced last year which saw workers receive bonuses and star awards for their achievements.

March 10th, 2009 LONDON - Unite, Scotland's biggest union, has today written to the Minister for Enterprise, Energy & Tourism, Jim Mather MSP, calling for a manufacturing summit to help explore ways to support the sector and to keep people in employment. Last week in the Scottish Parliament at the Finance and Sustainable Growth debate on the 5th of March, Jim Mather MSP, following a question from John Park MSP, agreed to hold a summit with key stakeholders including trade unions.

July 1st, 2009 Diageo cuts 900 jobs, closes distilleryLONDON — Diageo PLC, the world's biggest spirits maker, said Wednesday it is cutting 900 jobs as it shutters a 199 year-old distillery and packaging plant as part of a cost-cutting restructure of operations in Scotland. Diageo, which makes brands including Guinness stout, Smirnoff vodka and Johnnie Walker whisky, said that the restructuring will trim costs by some 40 million pounds ($66 million) in 2012.

May 9th, 2009 Correction: Leap Wireless earnings storySAN DIEGO — In a May 7 story about Leap Wireless International Inc., The Associated Press reported erroneously that the company's first-quarter loss of $50.3 million came after paying preferred dividends. The company did not pay preferred dividends during the quarter.

August 27th, 2009 Diageo full year net profit up 7 percentLONDON — Diageo PLC, the world's largest spirits maker, posted a 7 percent rise in full-year net profit on Thursday, benefiting largely from positive exchange rate movements and cost-cutting amid weaker demand for many of its key products. The maker of Johnnie Walker whisky, Smirnoff vodka and Guinness stout cut its profit target for the current year because of concerns about the strength of an economic recovery — but also stressed that it believed the worst was over.

August 27th, 2009 Diageo full year net profit up 7 pctLONDON — Diageo PLC, the world's biggest spirits maker, posted a 7 percent rise in full-year net profit on Thursday, benefiting from favorable currency exchange rates and cost-cutting amid weaker demand for many of its key products. The maker of Johnnie Walker whisky, Smirnoff vodka and Guinness stout cut its profit target for the current year because of concerns about the strength of an economic recovery — but also stressed that it believed the worst was over.

October 1st, 2009 Shares of Leap Wireless, MetroPCS fallSAN FRANCISCO — Shares of Leap Wireless International Inc. and MetroPCS Communications Inc.

August 27th, 2009 Spirits maker Diageo full year net profit up 7 pctLONDON — Diageo PLC, the world's largest spirits maker, posted a 7 percent rise in full-year net profit on Thursday, benefiting from favorable currency exchange rates and cost-cutting amid weaker demand for many of its key products. The maker of Johnnie Walker whisky, Smirnoff vodka and Guinness stout cut its profit target for the current year because of concerns about the strength of an economic recovery — but also stressed that it believed the worst was over.

June 5th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Promising jobs with partnering industries, Scottish universities have managed to triple the number of Indian students heading there for higher education in the last five years, university representatives said here Friday. Enrolment in Scottish universities by Indian students has tripled over the last five years, said Caroline Boddie, senior international officer for southern and central Asia at the University of Glasgow.

February 5th, 2009 LONDON - Car giant Ford said Thursday it would cut up to 850 jobs at British plants by May and review this year's pay deal because of the 'serious economic situation.' The announcement brought an angry response from trade unions who said industrial action would be an 'option' if the plans went ahead. The US company, which employs 12,900 people in Britain, said that 'unprecedented circumstances' were behind the decision to review this year's agreed pay rise of a 5.2 percent.

August 18th, 2009 Scottish court to rule on Lockerbie bomber appealEDINBURGH, Scotland — A Scottish court rules Tuesday whether the Libyan convicted of the 1988 Lockerbie bombing can drop his appeal, a step that could lead to his rapid release or a transfer back to a prison in his homeland. Scotland's government must decide whether to release the ailing Abdel Baset al-Megrahi on compassionate grounds, transfer him to a Libyan prison, or keep him in prison in Scotland.

September 3rd, 2009 Scottish national party to press for independenceEDINBURGH, Scotland — Scotland's separatist government said Thursday that it would push for a referendum on independence from the United Kingdom next year — a proposal unlikely to go far because the nationalists are outnumbered in Scotland's parliament. The Scottish National Party has long made breaking with Britain the focus of its political agenda, but with only 47 out of 129 seats, it lacks the parliamentary majority needed to make its plan for a referendum a reality.