Cork Pharma Workers Halt Pay Cuts After Urgent Negotiations

URGENT UPDATE: A significant breakthrough has occurred at Merck Millipore’s biopharmaceutical plants in Cork, as industrial action against a proposed 20% pay cut has been halted. Workers, including electricians and technicians, had planned to down tools this week in response to management’s unilateral decision to slash wages, sparking widespread anger and protests.

Just confirmed: Merck Millipore has agreed to enter negotiations with an independent mediator following intense discussions with the Connect Trade Union. This development marks a pivotal moment after a month of escalating tensions at the company’s facilities in Blarney and Carrigtwohill.

Mark Dobbyn of Connect stated, “This is a significant move as we have sought a structured process for over a decade to discuss changes to workers’ terms.” The union highlighted that the proposed cuts would have severely impacted the livelihood of many workers, with no prior consultation from management.

The unrest began last month as workers expressed their frustration over what they viewed as a lack of engagement from Merck. Dobbyn emphasized the importance of having a platform for collective issues, stating, “There was going to be 20% taken away from our members in Blarney, with no engagement around it at all.”

Merck’s management faced criticism for previously disregarding union recognition, leading to a case brought before the Labour Court in 2022. The court ruled that the company must engage with the unions, a decision that has now led to a new negotiation process.

In a positive development amidst the turmoil, a new €150 million filtration manufacturing facility was opened this week at the Blarney Business Park, part of a larger €440 million investment in Cork operations. This investment signifies the company’s commitment to growth in the region, even as negotiations continue.

As both sides move forward, the focus will now shift to ongoing discussions and the potential impact on workers’ benefits. Dobbyn mentioned that while some past unilateral changes by management have brought positive enhancements, the latest plans underscore the necessity of staff discussions.

This situation remains fluid, and further updates are expected as negotiations progress. Stay tuned for the latest developments on this critical labor issue affecting Cork’s workforce.