US trade union chief Jimmy Hoffa joins fight to save Scots whisky jobs
AMERICAN trade union chief Jimmy Hoffa has joined the fight to save 900 Scots whisky jobs from the axe.Hoffa, who leads the powerful Teamsters union, 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.''
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