Solidarity Co-Convenor Tommy Sheridan addressed a meeting organised by Ayrshire Solidarity in the Grand Hall in Kilmarnock last Thursday to back the 700 workers threatened with the loss of their jobs.

Workers from Diageo’s Johnny Walker Whiskey plant explained that they were being kept in the dark by the management over the plans for their future however their union was little better.

One worker said "the plan of the company is clear they want to maximise production at present so they can build stockpiles of whisky while they close the plant." Another said the management are clearly trying to divide and demoralise the workers, we need to unite against their tactics and we need a clearer lead from the trade union."

Former Labour MEP Hugh Kerr said they could expect little help from the Labour government in Westminster since they were hand in hand with big business and the trade union leadership was little better.

Tommy Sheridan said "we should take Johnny Walkers into public ownership after all we have taken ownership of the Royal Bank of Scotland at a cost of billions of pounds it would cost far less to take over Walkers and save the jobs of Kilmarnock workers instead of city bankers" 

The meeting was chaired by former Ayrshire MSP Rosemary Byrne and Solidarity Kilmarnock organiser Gordon Walker also spoke.