Wyeth Pharmaceuticals in Pearl River eliminated 71 positions due to changing manufacturing requirements at the site, according to a spokesperson.
Grace Ann Arnold, associate director of site communications and public relations, said half of the site in Pearl River is dedicated to research; the other half is manufacturing.
Arnold said the eliminated positions are partly offset by the addition of 33 jobs in the research area.
Arnold said not all of the 71 eliminated positions are manufacturing line operators; the 71Â positions represent manufacturing support functions, as well.
Arnold said the company is working directly with the laid-off employees for a competitive severance package, extended health benefits, outplacement assistance and career counseling.
“We recognize it”™s a difficult time to lose a job,” Arnold said. Â
Arnold said 52 of the eliminated positions will take effect before month”™s end;
19 of them are bargaining unit positions in accordance with the International Chemical Workers Union. “Those (bargaining unit) position eliminations will be handled consistent with the terms of the union contract,” Arnold said.
Arnold said the layoffs are part of Project Impact, a worldwide company initiative introduced last January to increase operating efficiencies.
Arnold said the initiative was designed to create a more effective business model in the face of growing generic competition, increased regulatory hurdles and increasing pressures from customers to reduce costs.
Arnold said there are about 3,200 employees in Pearl River.