AstraZeneca union representatives have today declared they do not support the proposed takeover of the company from American pharmaceutical company Pfizer.
After a meeting which took place earlier today, union reps from GMB and Unite have said in a joint statement they do not believe a takeover of AstraZeneca is in the interest of its 6,700 UK workforce or the public.
They accused Pfizer of having a track record in takeovers resulting in job losses and closures, while dismissing the guarantees made by the industry giant to Prime Minister David Cameron as “worthless.”
The union representatives also claimed no response had been given by business secretary Vince Cable to requests for meetings.
They have urged Dr Cable to block any takeover, following comments made earlier this week by the business secretary that he could use his powers to veto any deal from being rubberstamped.
Allan Black, national officer from the GMB and Tony Burke, assistant general secretary of Unite will be both giving evidence at the House of Commons business select committee hearing next Tuesday.
