NEWS RELEASE
10.30am Saturday 12 April 2003
STUC BACKS BOOTS WORKERS
Addressing a rally of Boots workers and their families outside the Boots store in Airdrie town centre, called to protest at the company's plan to shut down its manufacturing operations in Airdrie, STUC General Secretary, Bill Speirs said,
"You do not stand alone.
"The STUC is 100% behind the Boots workers, your unions and your community, in this battle to make the company think again. For decades the workers in the Airdrie plant have contributed to Boots' profits: it is entirely wrong of the company to try to dump you when they have a short-term problem.
"Make no mistake the bosses are rattled. This fight can be won."
Bill Speirs will address the rally immediately before travelling to Inverness for the STUC's annual Congress.
Note to editors:
(1) The Boots rally will take place outside the Boots store in Airdrie town centre.
For further details contact Frank Whitelaw, Scottish Divisional Officer, USDAW, on 0141 427 6561
(2) STUC Congress takes places in the Eden Court Theatre, Inverness, between Monday 14 and Thursday 17 April 2003.
A media briefing on Congress arrangements will take place at 2pm, on Sunday 13 April 2003, in the Ramada Jarvis Hotel (Inverness Suite), Church Street, Inverness.
For media enquiries about Congress contact Tracey White, STUC, on 0141 337 8100