AstraZeneca to cut 700 jobs in Macclesfield as part of global economy drive

AstraZeneca, the UK’s second largest pharmaceutical company, is to cut 700 manufacturing jobs in a major economy drive.

The drugs firm confirmed yesterday that 700 jobs would go over the next three years at its Macclesfield plant, which currently employs about 2,500 staff, the Guardian reports.

The company announced plans to axe 3,000 manufacturing jobs globally earlier this month.

GMB union, which represents 800 staff at the Macclesfield plant said it was shocked by the news.

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Neil Holden, GMB regional organiser for the north-west and Irish regions, said: “We’re shocked at the number of redundancies at the Macclesfield site. – more than a third of the total operation.”

Holden said the union would consult with AstraZeneca about the number of redundancies and try and negotiate the best package for members.