AstraZeneca staff vote for strike in pensions row

STAFF at pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca’s Macclesfield factory have voted by almost 3-1 to go on strike in a row over pensions.

The GMB union said dates for industrial action will be set later this week unless the company, which is one of the largest employers in the Ceshire town, reopens negotiations over planned changes to its pension scheme.

The union had recommended a yes vote after accusing AZ of planning “draconian” proposals to end its final salary pension scheme for 2,500 staff based mainly at Macclesfield.

GMB national officer Allan Black said: “This clear mandate for a strike in the midst of the current economic circumstances ought to be a wake up call to AstraZeneca to resume negotiations.

“The company need to return to the negotiating table as a matter of urgency. They have to understand that unless they take this opportunity then strike action will be held.

“There will be a meeting of shop stewards later this week to fix dates for industrial action unless the company come back to the negotiating table with meaningful terms.”

According to its latest annual report Anglo-Swedish drug developer has a UK pension scheme deficit of £1.4bn.

Responding to the strike ballot it said: ““AstraZeneca remains committed to providing a competitive level of pension benefit and the changes made ensure all employees continue to have access to pension arrangements that compare favourably to other organisations in the UK.

“It is our belief that strike action would not be in anyone’s best interests”