A DRAM DISGRACE; Scrooge whisky giants scrap Xmas hampers for ex-workers: EXCLUSIVE.Byline: Janice Burns SCROOGE Diageo Diageo plc (LSE: DGE, NYSE: DEO) is the largest multinational beer, wine and spirits company in the world. The company was formed in 1997 from the merger of Guinness plc and Grand Metropolitan plc and is listed on the London, New York and Irish stock exchanges. bosses have scrapped Christmas Christmas [Christ's Mass], in the Christian calendar, feast of the nativity of Jesus, celebrated in Roman Catholic and Protestant Churches on Dec. 25. In liturgical importance it ranks after Easter, Pentecost, and Epiphany (Jan. 6). hampers for thousands of retired workers. The controversial drinks giant, who are shedding 900 Johnnie Walker Johnnie Walker is a brand of Scotch whisky produced in Kilmarnock, Scotland. It is the most widely distributed brand of Scotch whisky in the world, sold in almost every country and with yearly sales of over 120 million bottles. jobs in Kilmarnock and Glasgow despite making pounds 2billion profits, have cut pensioners festive fes·tive adj. 1. Of, relating to, or appropriate for a feast or festival. 2. Merry; joyous: a festive party. gifts to save cash. Every year thousands of elderly ex-Daigeo workers get a hamper, which includes three bottles of booze Booze sold cheap whiskey in a log-cabin bottle. [Am. Hist.: Espy, 152–153] See : Drunkenness worth around pounds 30, but now they have been told it's all over. Last night the move sparked fury among hundreds of pensioners who branded Diageo "disgusting money-grabbers". Ex-worker Tom Watson, 73, of Bishopbriggs, Glasgow, hit out: "Diageo bosses should be ashamed of themselves for picking on poor pensioners like this when they are making billions in profits. "Getting a hamper every Christmas was the highlight of our year because most pensioners can't afford to buy drink. "It was always a really nice gesture and a real bonus because our wages and pensions were never up to much. "This is a real kick in the teeth for all their loyalty and hard work. "When I got the letter through the post I couldn't believe it. I thought they were a bunch of money-grabbing scrooges. "I worked for the company for 15 years but got made redundant in 1985. The hamper was a really nice gesture and something to look forward to every year. "Diageo have really stooped stoop 1 v. stooped, stoop·ing, stoops v.intr. 1. To bend forward and down from the waist or the middle of the back: had to stoop in order to fit into the cave. to the lowest this time by denyin ex-workers a Christmas treat. "They are picking on the most vulnerable just to save a few pounds. It disgusts me." Tom and thousands of others have received letters from Diageo informing them of the move to scrap the hamper scheme in a bid to save cash. They were told that this year would be the last time they would receive the gifts as the company were making cut-backs. In the letter, Diageo's pensions director Julie Richards Rich·ards , Dickinson Woodruff 1895-1973. American physician. He shared a 1956 Nobel Prize for developing cardiac catheterization. : "I would like to take this opportunity to advise you that regrettably hampers will not be dispatched in future years. "This will create major cost savings which can be utilised more effectively and allow the administration team to concentrate on servicing your pension requirements. "We are living through some extremely challenging times and like many companies, it has been necessary for Diageo to respond to the economic climate with a commitment to make dramatic savings and cut operating costs operating costs npl → gastos mpl operacionales ." CAPTION(S): LET DOWN: Tom will miss his free whisky |
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