Irvine Times | News | "Devastating" Glaxo job losses

Sunday, 12th October, 2008

Published: Wednesday, 9th April, 2008 11:00

"Devastating" Glaxo job losses

By Kevin Dyson

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THE LATEST in a long line of hammerblows to the local economy was announced last week with pharmaceutical giants GlaxoSmithKline set to shed half of its workforce.

A total of 270 jobs are likely to go over the next three years after the company revealed its plans to workers.

While 45 jobs are expected to go by September, the bulk of the losses will hit in 2009, with around 205 jobs being cut. The remaining 20 jobs will go by 2011. The proposals will go before the staff and union officials for consultation in the coming weeks.

GlaxoSmithKline claim that the move is “regrettable” but necessary in order to “improve competitiveness in the face of the changing business environment facing the global pharmaceutical industry”.

Under the proposals, the jobs would be phased out with the closure of facilities which make active chemical compounds used in the final manufacture of eight pharmaceutical products.

A spokesperson for GSK said that 340 jobs would remain at the plant adding: “Our site’s goal is to achieve a long term sustainable future. Increasing our focus and ensuring we do all we can to remain competitive within our antibiotics operations will only improve the Irvine site position.

“The company would give full support for people affected, with all staff being treated fairly and with respect and integrity,” said the spokesperson, “The impact of job losses would be reduced through a variety of measures, including voluntary redundancy, re-training and re-deployment.

Site Director Jim McPherson said: “We sincerely regret the impact of this proposal in terms of job losses and will work with the local community to reduce the impact of these changes.

“Employees at Irvine have made significant contributions to the success of the company over many years and this proposal is in no way a reflection of their performance.”

North Ayrshire Council will meet GSK bosses over the coming weeks. Depute Leader John Reid said: “News of the job losses is another serious blow for the local economy.

“North Ayrshire Council will work with the PACE group (Partnership Action for Continued Employment) to address the aftermath of this announcement.

“This announcement underlines sharply the challenge for Irvine Bay Regeneration Company and its partners to kick-start the local economy and create a place where businesses can develop.

“The Council will do everything it can to help alleviate the consequences of this announcement.”