‘Devastating blow to workers and their families’ – Pfizer to axe 100 jobs at Newbridge plant as part of global cost-cutting plan

It is understood that most of the jobs will be voluntary redundancies, but some will be compulsory.

Siptu, which has almost 700 members at the Kildare site, said the news will be of huge concern to the workers, their families and the wider community.

Divisional organiser, Greg Ennis, said he believes around 100 redundancies will be sought as part of a $3.5bn global cost-cutting plan announced last month.

He said the union will seek an immediate meeting with management.

Mr Ennis said the announcement follows news of the proposed closure of Wyeth Nutritionals in Askeaton in Limerick, and closure of Cartamundi in Waterford.

"This worrying trend in closures with job losses in the hundreds, in what had been considered very secure and indeed good employment, is something that the Government must focus on immediately with a view to arresting such decline,” he said.

"The loss of these jobs in Newbridge will have a significant economic effect to the detriment of the wider Kildare area and will be of huge concern to our 700 members and their families at the Newbridge facility."

He said the union has just concluded a pay agreement at Pfizer’s facility in Cork, worth just under 14pc over three years.

Robbie Purfield, Siptu organiser, said the union’s local representatives will be seeking an early meeting with Pfizer management with a view to reducing and, if possible, scrapping the proposed redundancy plan.

Labour senator Mark Wall said the announcement is deeply concerning.

“This will be a devastating blow for the workers and their families,” he said. “Pfizer must now engage with union officials in a meaningful way.”

He called on the company to meet with union officials to discuss the proposals and explore all options.

“The loss of these jobs in Newbridge will have a significant impact on Newbridge and the wider Kildare area,” he said.

A Pfizer spokesperson said it regularly evaluates its manufacturing network “to ensure capacity is effectively utilised based on product demands”.

“We can confirm planned changes at the Newbridge site which will impact approximately 100 colleagues who work on the manufacture of Pfizer’s Covid antiviral treatment,” she said.

The spokesperson said onsite operations were expanded in 2021 to meet pandemic needs but, considering the lower-than-expected utilisation for its Covid-19 products, production is now scaling down in line with customer demand.

She said the company has launched an “enterprise-wide cost realignment programme” to operate more efficiently and effectively.

Pfizer expects overall growth in manufacturing operations next year, including an additional 230 roles at its Grange Castle and Ringaskiddy sites.

“We will be engaging with our colleagues and their representatives as applicable in relation to the planned changes,” she said.

“Pfizer’s manufacturing sites in Ireland play a key role in the manufacture of many of our leading and newest medicines. We have invested $9 billion since operations began in 1969 and remain committed to expanding our Grange Castle site as announced in 2022.”

The spokesperson said Pfizer does not take these changes lightly.

“All decisions that impact people, processes and initiatives will be made with transparency, compassion and respect,” she said.

“We also remain committed to our patients and will continue to produce our Covid-19 antiviral treatment in Newbridge.”

She said the company will do its utmost to support impacted colleagues.

“This will include utilising open roles and moving talent to other opportunities, to help minimize the impact to colleagues,” she said.