The consultation process with Alkermes employees started on Wednesday, April 10, after it was announced earlier this week that up to 130 jobs were to go at the biopharmaceutical plant in Monksland.
A statement released by Alkermes stated that the company is committed to working with employees during this period of transition. It is anticipated that a reduction in staff numbers will be achieved through a combination of natural attrition, voluntary redundancy, and compulsory redundancy.
Due to the reductions in manufacturing demand for certain pharmaceutical products Alkermes has made the decision to review resources at their Athlone facility. After a thorough review of their operations and a careful assessment of possible alternatives, they have concluded that they expect to reduce the number of staff at the Athlone facility. Reductions of approximately 100 to 130 staff are expected to take place over a two-year period.
There was some sign of good news, however, as Alkermes added that they would continue to invest in the Athlone plant.
“The Athlone facility will continue to play a strategic part in Alkermes’ future business, and significant investment is planned to be made at the site over the next number of years which will allow Alkermes to focus primarily on the manufacture of newer, advanced pharmaceutical product lines. World-class development and manufacturing activities at the plant will remain robust and will continue producing global pharmaceutical products. The Alkermes facility in Athlone will remain strategically important to Alkermes’ global development and manufacturing network,” a spokesperson said.
Athlone’s TD, Nicky McFadden, reacting to the news, said that the job losses were a major blow to the town.
“This announcement has certainly come as a blow to the people of Athlone and my thoughts are immediately with the staff and families affected. I am particularly concerned about the impact these job losses will have on employees and on the economy of the wider community,” she said.
South Roscommon TD Denis Naughten described the announcement as a dark day for the local economy. He added that it is a huge personal blow to the staff and their families who are now facing the prospect of job losses.
