FEARS ARE GROWING for 45 jobs at Pfizer’s Newbridge plant, in addition to 150 redundancies announced yesterday.

The company has indicated it will end packaging operations in 2015.

Speaking to TheJournal.ie, SIPTU representative Frank Jones said that out of a total of 70 jobs in this area, 25 were included in the 150 redundancies announced yesterday,  leaving 45 jobs at risk in 2015.

However, he believes the company may be considering moving these jobs else where within the plant, preventing the job losses.

“We’re meeting on Friday with representatives from Pfizer where we hope to gain some clarity on this issue,” he said.

We’re also going to look at the possibility of reducing the number of redundancies in 150, and to ensure that no compulsory redundancies are implemented.

‘Devastating’

The North Kildare Chamber of Commerce said the 150 job losses yesterday were “devastating” for the families involved, as they come so close to the Christmas season.

However, Acting President of the Chamber Len Regan said that Pfizer had assured the Chamber that they will “making further investment in facility in other areas”.

Workers at the Newbridge plant yesterday following the announcement. (Image Credit: Eamonn Farrell/Photocall Ireland)

“Hopefully we can look to in future that will ease these job losses. Ireland excels in innovation, and research and development, its out unique selling point”, he said.

The company has reiterated that the Newbridge plant will remain an important manufacturing site within its global network.

Read: Pfizer to cut 150 jobs at Newbridge plant >

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