Pfizer to cut 330 jobs at Sicily plant, unions say

Pfizer Inc intends to eliminate around 330 jobs at its Sicily facility in Italy, according to labor unions. The cuts account for roughly 60% of the plant’s current 550 employees. Union representatives from CGIL, CISL, and UIL met with Pfizer and Italy’s industry ministry on Tuesday in Rome, but no agreement was reached, as per a joint statement.

Italy’s industry ministry affirmed that the discussed issues would serve as a foundation for ongoing discussions. Industry Minister Adolfo Urso plans to visit the Sicily plant on October 23, with further talks between Pfizer and the ministry tentatively scheduled for November 10. Pfizer has not yet formally announced the job cuts.

The layoffs join a series of workforce reductions undertaken by multinational corporations operating in Italy. Earlier this week, appliance manufacturer Electrolux unveiled a revised restructuring plan for its Italian operations that will affect approximately 1,250 workers. Swedish telecommunications equipment maker Ericsson announced on Monday that it would abandon a planned collective layoff of 131 employees in Genoa and instead pursue a voluntary restructuring program following discussions with the ministry.