Further talks in Pfizer dispute

US PHARMACEUTICAL giant Pfizer and the Unite union have clashed over changes the company believes are essential to ensure the viability of its plant in Askeaton, Co Limerick.

The disagreement, involving 74 laboratory workers at the Pfizer-owned Wyeth Nutritionals Ireland, concerns the implementation of the company’s “Global Lean Programme”. In December 2009, the company announced that the Askeaton plant, which employs 550, would be part of a new strategy to increase competitiveness and cut costs.

However, in a submission to the Labour Court, Unite, on behalf of the 74 workers, said the company proposals were “unworkable”. It said “any attempt to introduce them on a permanent or trial basis will place the workers in an impossible position and lead to increased stress and conflict”.

“The workers concerned have demonstrated their willingness on many occasions to embrace technological and process changes that are stable and soundly based with predictable outcomes. They will continue to work with the company on that basis,” the union said.

In response, the company stated that “the competitiveness of the Askeaton plant’s cost base must be addressed”.

“There is excess capacity in other facilities across the company’s network with lower unit costs. The competitiveness strategy has been developed to address this competitiveness gap and must be implemented to secure the maximum number of sustainable jobs at the Askeaton facility into the future,” it said.

The matter was referred to the Labour Court after the sides failed to agree at the Labour Relations Commission.

The court has recommended the matter be referred back to the commission in an effort to address Unite’s concerns. It said this should be completed no later than August 31st. In the meantime, it said trials associated with the introduction of the proposed changes should begin.