Workers need ultimate consideration as 200 years of whisky production comes to an end 

The announcement of the closure of the Port Dundas site of drinks giant Diageo with 140 jobs loses and a further 80 relocations has been described as “an unexpected and devastating blow” by Glasgow MSP Bob Doris. The historic distillery, which began production in 1810 is due to close in 2011. Despite the creation of 400 jobs at a packaging plant in Fife, 900 jobs are to be axed across Scotland with net job loses estimated at 500, at least 140 of which will be from the Port Dundas workforce.

Speaking in Glasgow today Mr Doris said: "Port Dundas is a part of Glasgow that needs inward investment not job losses. There is historic significance in the demise of a 200 year old distillery, but the primary concern now is to get the best deal for the affected employees.

"Diageo have said that they will attempt to redeploy up to 80 staff to a new Cooperage in Central Scotland. I know the First Minister has already spoken to Diageo and I am confident that the Scottish Government will move quickly to do all it can.

"I have today requested that the company give consideration to offering relocation for the additional 100 distillery workers and 40 cooperage workers facing redundancy at Port Dundas. As there will not be any compulsory redundancies for 12 months I have suggested that there may be time to find alternative posts within the Diageo family for those who wish to stay with the firm.

"I have also requested that the 80 jobs that the firm plans to transfer from Dundas House at the end of 2011 will involve full support and relocation packages for staff that decide to move. Relocation will be an extremely difficult choice to contend with for many workers with family and other commitments. Diageo need to respect these workers with a decent relocation offer to make the transition as painless as possible.

"I will be in close contact with the firm as the site winds down to closure by 2011 to make sure that the human cost of this corporate decision is kept to a minimum and that the rights and interests of Glasgow workers are protected.

"First Minister Alex Salmond has been in talks with the company today and will be meeting with them tomorrow to get assurances on behalf of workers and to find the best solution."