60 pharmaceutical jobs go in Tipperary

Sixty jobs are to be shed by pharmaceutical firm Merck Sharp and Dohme at its plant in south Tipperary.

Sixty jobs are to be shed by pharmaceutical firm Merck Sharp and Dohme at its plant in south Tipperary.

It is the first time since it opened its operations in 1976 that Merck has had to reduce jobs at the plant between Carrick-on-Suir and Clonmel. The number of employees will be cut to 340 from 400.

This week, plant manager Tony Musiol said he would like to assure employees and the local community that the plant remained an important part of the Merck manufacturing operation worldwide.

A four-week consultation will take place between management and union representatives.

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The company, which was subject to High Court action for damages by neighbouring farmer John Hanrahan in the 1980s, presented the proposal after a five-month review. It will take the form of voluntary job cuts and operational changes to increase efficiencies.

Siptu representative Nicholas Parker said union representatives had met company management.

"This has not come as a huge surprise. There has been something in the offing for the last few months. We would be concerned at the number of proposed redundancies. We will get the views of the members before we take a decision on the next step," he said.