Glaxo responds to fears over local staffing levels, Teesdale Mercury

TEESDALE’S biggest employer has responded to allegations that it is employing more temporary staff so it can avoid redundancy payouts.

GlaxoSmithKline employs about 800 staff at its plant in Barnard Castle.

But there are worries that fewer town residents are being given long-term contracts.

However, Glaxo has responded to the fears by saying nearly third of the workforce lives in Barnard Castle.

Town councillor John Watson made the claims when he was speaking to officers from Durham County Council at a meeting of Teesdale Local Councils’ Forum.

The meeting was discussing the County Durham Plan, which was drawn up by the county council to regenerate the county.

Cllr Watson said: “Teesdale’s major employer has changed character dramatically because it’s now staffed by temporary people to make it competitive against factory sites elsewhere.

“Temporary staffing is attractive because Glaxo doesn’t have to pay pensions or redundancy payouts.”

 Glaxo was previously to be ”very particular about having their own staff,” he said. “But people in the town don’t have that luxury anymore.”

A spokesman for the pharmaceutical company said it was aware of the reliance the local area has on the site.

“Recent fluctuations to support pandemics and short-term increases in demand for products have been met by contract staff, many recommended by employees,” the firm said. 

The spokesman added that most of the people who work at Barnard Castle’s factory live within 30 miles of the town.

He added: “The number of people employed at the site has reduced with efficiency and productivity improvements – in line with UK manufacturing as a whole.

“However, while the number of people directly employed by the site has reduced, the number of staff employed by central GSK and based at Barnard Castle has risen.”

The spokesman said Glaxo provides apprenticeships in engineering, production and laboratory, with up to 15 placements available each 

year.

The plant also offers up to six work experience placements and works with local schools.

The spokesman added: “At Glaxo Barnard Castle, staff turnover is approximately one per cent, well below the UK average. 

“When vacancies are available, these are advertised and often shared by word of mouth.”

In December, Glaxo’s head office confirmed Barnard Castle had been shortlisted as a possible location for its new £300m biopharmaceutical plant. It is not yet clear how many jobs it would create.