Statement from Governor Markell on layoffs at AstraZeneca

(Wilmington, DE)     The Governor was  informed this morning about the decision by AstraZeneca to eliminate 1,200 positions from its Wilmington, DE location by the end of 2015 as company leadership re-positions itself for a return to growth and reinvigorates its scientific leadership.  This decision comes with painful job losses for Delawareans.

Statement from Governor

We know we have a great workforce in Delaware and the AstraZeneca employees affected by this decision are part of our talented scientific pool.   I am greatly disappointed by the job losses at the company and for the employees whose lives will be painfully and directly affected.    The company says the job re-locations and eliminations will happen gradually over time with various projects, and we will offer state employment transition support services to employees who need assistance as that happens.  AstraZeneca leadership has shared its goals of restoring company growth and co-locating work teams in order to be strategically successfully, but Delaware remains home to AstraZeneca’s North American headquarters and will be a reporting base for its global innovations group.”