FOR IMMEDIATE USE: 14 AUGUST 2009

ROBERT BURNS WORLD FEDERATION JOINS SAVE JOHNNIE WALKER CAMPAIGN

A specially designed brochure setting out the story of Diageo’s proposals to cut 700 jobs in its bottling plant in Kilmarnock and the community’s reaction to this was launched at the Burns Monument Centre this week.

The brochure is being sent to every member of the Robert Burns World Federation around the world to gain more support for the “Keep Johnnie Walker in Kilmarnock” campaign. It explains how people can get involved in the campaign, either through the campaign website; by spreading the word to family, friends and colleagues or by writing directly to Diageo.

Members of the Cross Party Working Group for the campaign, set up to fight the Diageo closure plans, were very impressed with the finished product: “The brochure is an excellent way to illustrate to Burns Federation members around the world just how committed we are to having a successful outcome to this campaign. It shows how members of the public, local businesses, communities, trades unions and politicians from all parties have come together to fight for the jobs of 700 workers and their families. Containing photos from the march and rally that attracted over 20,000 people in Kilmarnock recently, the brochure demonstrates to the world the enormous pride and loyalty the people of Kilmarnock have for this brand.”

Shirley Bell, Chief Executive of the Robert Burns World Federation, and Councillors Douglas Reid, Tom Cook and Maureen McKay, members of the Cross Party Working Group, signed a letter that will accompany the brochure on its travels around the world. Shirley said: “We are delighted to be backing this campaign which is all about keeping our heritage where it belongs. An appropriate quote from Robert Burns that sums up the current situation goes:

All you who follow wealth and power with unremitting ardour, O

The more in this you look for bliss, you leave your view the farther, O

“I wish the campaign every success and I am sure that our fellow Burnsians around the world will be pleased to add their support too.”

Photo Caption

Councillor Tom Cook; John Haining; Immediate Past Present of the Federation; Shirley Bell, Chief Executive of the Robert Burns World Federation; Councillor Douglas Reid; Jim Shields, Director/Marketing Convenor of the Federation and Councillor Maureen McKay.

 
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Caroline Gordon

Public Relations Officer

(01563) 576521