‘Managers did a good job of preparing us’
“Disappointed more than shocked,” was the reaction from one of the first to leave the Loughbeg plant after the briefing.
One of the few others who stopped at the gates to speak to waiting reporters admitted he was not really surprised.
“There is a bit of shock there alright but I think the managers did a good job of preparing us,” said Loughbeg employee John Aylmer. “It went well, though a lot of people were upset.
“My own reaction was not one of shock. We were well briefed and we were not led on. The shock would be more initially as the announcement was hitting. We hoped for the best but were prepared for the worst.”
However, Mr Aylmer remained upbeat.
“I am not particularly worried. Pfizer are a good company to work for. They look after their people and I have upskilled over the last few years.”
His colleague Joseph McCabe was equally resigned.
“The plant is closing at the end of 2011, because of the loss of exclusivity on Lipitor, the main product being manufactured here. That is pretty much it,” he said.
“People in there are stunned but it was not a shock to me. I expected it. A couple of years back trials on a replacement product went very badly.
“I am pretty well educated – to degree level. I will just move on. Life goes on.”
Contractors working at the Cork plants remained unsure of where they stood.
Declan Cross is a contractor with Murphy Engineering who has been working at Pfizer for 12 years.
“We don’t know as yet whether we are going to be affected. Things are going to take a few days now before the dust will settle and everyone will find out more information but the news is not good anyway.
“You have to look at the bright side of things too.”
