Diageo's planned redundancies at Highlands and islands distilleries could damage fragile rural economies, a union has warned.
The drinks giant has placed 172 distillery workers at risk of redundancy, with 38 potentially losing their jobs as part of a global redundancy programme.
Diageo, which owns the Johnnie Walker whisky brand, intends to make cuts at distilleries including Cardhu, Cragganmore, Port Ellen, Islay, and Dufftown.
Consultation process rejected
GMB Scotland has formally rejected the consultation process at the distilleries and will write to politicians across the Highlands and islands about the impact on rural communities.
A four-week consultation ended last week, but the union claims there was no serious attempt to engage with workers and no agreement on the number of potential job losses or the redundancy process.
Lesley-Anne Macaskill, GMB Scotland organiser in the Highlands and Islands, said the company refused to engage in meaningful discussion to reduce the number or impact of job losses.
Union accuses Diageo of 'box-ticking'
She said: "We have now had five meetings with the company to discuss its plans but there has been no serious attempt to engage with our members' concerns or modify its plans in any way.
"This has not been a genuine consultation but a box-ticking exercise by a company intent on steam-rollering through job losses to a plan that has already been decided.
"The absolute refusal to engage with our members' concerns is a morally bankrupt betrayal of a skilled, experienced and committed workforce."
The union said it repeatedly raised the possibility of voluntary redundancies or job-sharing, but executives refused to consider other options.
MacAskill added: "We detailed a number of measures routinely used across the industry to reduce redundancies and ease the uncertainty of workers but every other option was rejected out of hand.
"Our members understand the company must respond to changing demand but that can be done with respect, fairness and genuine consultation. Instead, it has refused to listen or alter its plans in any way."
