Civic Group Calls for Pfizer Boycott

By Kortney Stringer, Detroit Free Press

Jan. 25–A Detroit civic group that led a successful campaign against DTE Energy recently is calling for a boycott of Pfizer Inc. because of the pharmaceutical giant’s decision to cut more than 2,400 Michigan jobs.

The National Action Network’s Detroit chapter sent a letter to Pfizer on Wednesday in which it said it’s calling for consumers to ask their doctors for alternatives to Pfizer medications until Chief Executive Jeffrey Kindler agrees to meet to discuss retaining Michigan jobs.

On its Web site, www.im4justice.com, the group said 1,500 people signed a petition supporting the effort. The company said Monday it would eliminate more than 2,400 jobs in Ann Arbor, Kalamazoo and Plymouth Township.

“Most people don’t want Pfizer to leave,” said Rev. Charles E. Williams, the group’s president.

Rick Chambers, a Pfizer spokesman, said Wednesday he wasn’t sure whether the company had seen the letter yet. “It underscores how painful this decision was for Pfizer as well as the community. Unfortunately, it was a decision that had to be made and it is final,” he said.

Kathy Chabot, a contract employee who works for Brighton-based Total Solutions at the Pfizer facility in Ann Arbor, hopes a resolution can be reached. “It’s just been a real shock,” she said.

The advocacy group is fresh off a success. Earlier this month, DTE Energy executives toned down a credit-reporting policy after meeting with the group. The network had threatened to stage a Martin Luther King Jr. Day protest rally against the utility.

Contact KORTNEY STRINGER at 313-223-4479 or stringer@freepress.com.

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Copyright (c) 2007, Detroit Free Press

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