160 jobs are to be lost at American pharmaceutical company Bristol-Myers Squibb. BSM is blaming a change in market demand for products it makes at one of its plants.
Bristol-Myers Squibb has been making pharmaceuticals in Ireland for 50 years and currently employs 550 people.
Today 130 workers at its Cruiserath manufacturing plant in Dublin were told that the plant will close, with the loss of all jobs there, by the end of next year.
In a statement BMS says the closure reflects changing market demand. A spokesperson said it was not as a result of drugs coming off-patent.
BMS says it remains committed to its Swords facilty which employs 320 staff - but a unit there will also close by the end of 2015 with the loss of 30 positions.
Trade union meeting
SIPTU requested an urgent meeting with management following the news.
SIPTU organiser, Michelle Quinn says the workers didn't see this coming.
The company said it is working with IDA Ireland to explore potential future uses of the Cruiserath facility and will endeavour to minimize job losses in Ireland.
