Wednesday 30 March 2011

Letter to Read (No. 40): This

Dear Ian,

This is just to let you know that from now on, I'll write intermittently as I don't have much to report.  The patient is still dying, the disease is spreading, everybody is minding their own business.

I'll try to write every day but it is hard to maintain a blog with no news and I don't feel that I should talk about my colleagues unless they want to write to you.  I for one, feel quite nauseated about the whole situation.

So, colleagues: if you want to say something, write and I'll publish.  This is your opportunity to get it out of your chest.

Best wishes,

Letter to Read

lettertoread@gmail.com

Monday 28 March 2011

Letter to Read (No. 39): Monday blues

Dear Ian,

Nothing has happened.  I guess you knew this was going to be this way.  In the end, life takes over and we go into the acceptance phase of our grieving process.  We are applying for jobs and trying to get on with our lives.

I can't help but think that things shouldn't be that way.  Revolt! revolution! but people would say: why? I've got a mortgage to pay, kids...no time for nonsense!

And you knew.  You new that self-preservation was going to be more important than anything else and you knew that we don't believe we can do anything against you.  So, the inexorable process of boredom and nothingness just continues till the last soul leaves the Sandwich site.

It is rather anti-climatic and dull. A bit sad as well.  The patient is dying of a long illness and there's nothing to do but watch how things end.

I never thought this was going to be this way.  But you knew.  You knew from the start and so you were not a teeny bit worried.  You knew that this was going to pass.  Just like all things.

Talk to you tomorrow.

Letter to Read

Friday 25 March 2011

Letter to Read (No. 38): Friday

Dear Ian,

Today is Friday and just for a change, there is nothing to say.  This process of being fired just leaves people numb.

Have a nice weekend,

Letter to Read

Thursday 24 March 2011

Letter to Read (No. 37): The Letters

Dear Ian,

I totally forgot that *the letters* (you know, the ones saying that we are no longer needed) are already landing on our desks.

They don't come by helicopter but they're landing nevertheless.   Can't possibly say if I've already got mine, can I? but if I don't, it will come, certain as death.

Have a lovely day.

Letter to Read

Letter to Read (No. 36) And so it happened

Dear Ian,

I'm so sorry I didn't write yesterday.  I fell asleep.  And so it happened that I woke up this morning super stressed because I wasn't fulfilling my commitment.  Oh well.  That's how silly little LTR is.

I think I won't go over and over the same things.  I am going to write about how I feel, right now.  And right now, Ian, I'm a bit of a mess.

Why?

Because, although I know that is not worth it, that the Cambridge site might very well disappear in 2 years and that not necessarily the best people will be there and that I will have to move and...despite all those things and the fundamental mistrust between Pfizer and my little self, there is still a part of me that wants to be there.  And I'm sad about it.

I'm one to embrace new opportunities but, you see, it is kind of hard to see my little projects go.  I know, my priorities would change if I'm there and new projects (for how long) will come, but I guess I'm feeling the pain of the amputee at the moment: I want what isn't there anymore and I feel the pain of what has disappeared.

Anyhooo...interesting little developments with regards to jobs in Pfizer and other possibilities.  Just wanted to get it out of my system.  I don't think that the Cambridge site is a great opportunity.  I don't think it will be fantastic and I think the future of that site is still uncertain.  But there are so many other irrational things that play a role here that I still feel (a bit) that I want one of those jobs.

But don't worry about me, Ian.  I'll do just fine.  All I have to do is to re-read all my little letters and in no time I will start shouting again! (*shakes fist*). 

I. SHALL. NOT. BE. LOBOTOMIZED

Take care, talk to you later

Letter to Read

Tuesday 22 March 2011

Letter to Read (No. 35): The Consultants

Dear Ian,

We can finally go and see the consultants that will give us lots of good advice about our CV and future.  Hooray!

However, this is a thing: We can go 1/2 hour now. Then, AFTER we we've been given notice, we can speak to the consultant, 3 times.  3 times Ian.

The beauty of the thing is that AFTER we've been given notice it is going to be the big rush to talk to them and depending on how long we've been working for Pfizer we'll have 1, 2 or 3 months before we go.  I thought the idea was to help us to look for jobs?.  Looking for jobs takes time by the way.  It is a bit infuriating that some of us might not even have the possibility to "talk" to the consultants 3 times because we might be out before being able to get an appointment (or the opportunity to get to the job interview stage).

Don't know what to say.  This is really silly...we're finally witnessing the beginning of the end.  I will have stuff to report at last.

Best wishes,

Letter to Read

Monday 21 March 2011

Letter to Read (No. 34): The very informative meeting

Dear Ian,

In case you don't know, some updates:

1.- There will be a very informative meeting on Wednesday to "explain" how to apply for the Cambridge jobs.

2.- The "consultants" that will help us to apply for jobs are in Sandwich.

That's it! no more news! man this process is boring and weird.

Cheers,

Letter to Read

Friday 18 March 2011

Letter to Read (No. 33): The Internal Job

Dear Ian,

Aha! FINALLY! we know there are some jobs openings.  Jobs are available in Cambridge and we know *at last* what they are.  Job specs and everything.  Awesome!

Wohooooo....!!!!!

This means two things:

1.- There is hope for some people
2.- The race has begun...who will get the jobs?

Quite a few of those jobs seem to have been written with some specific individuals in mind by the way...

I *think* I'll have quite a few things to report from next week onwards...I need to find out more....

Have a nice weekend everybody.

Letter to Read

Thursday 17 March 2011

Letter to Read (No. 32): Boring!

Dear Ian,

I'm really, utterly bored.  Can you believe that we don't know anything yet.

Boring.

Letter to Read

Wednesday 16 March 2011

Letter to Read (No. 31): Novartis to close UK research site

Dear Ian,

I see that you are giving the example...well done! here we go with Novartis....do you provide personalised advise to CEO's in distress? (after all, you've been there...)

"In a holding statement, Novartis said only that it was continually reviewing its global operations “to ensure we have the right capacity in place for market demand and the Novartis development pipeline, and to ensure that our strategic focus is appropriately aligned.”


If the closure of the site is confirmed and research ceases at the site, the news will be another major blow to the UK pharmaceutical industry, following Pfizer’s recent decision to close its R&D operations in Sandwich, Kent with the loss of nearly 2,400 jobs."
Jeeesus, all PR people must go for training to the same place! Oh no, silly me, they just copy/paste from other announcements.  Obviously.  In these challenging times when we must "streamline operations", "align objectives", "focus our strategy" and all the usual ****

No comment.

Read here

Letter to Read

Tuesday 15 March 2011

Letter to Read (No. 30): Sick

Dear Ian,

Little Letter to Read can't catch a break.  Got a bit of a stomach ache.  And is feeling under the weather because Mitchell was killed in Being Human (BBC3) and that is so unfair. What will happen to George, Annie and Nina? oh well.

Talk to you tomorrow.

Letter to Read

Monday 14 March 2011

Letter to Read (No. 29): A thought for Japan

Dear Ian,

My letter today is just a message dedicated to our japanese colleagues.  Our thoughts are with you. The immensity of the disaster is difficult to measure.  

If you can donate, the British Red Cross has a website:


Best,

Letter to Read

Friday 11 March 2011

Letter to Read (No. 28): Nothingness

Dear Ian,

After yesterday's debacle we've come back to the start.  There is nothing to say, which is why very fittingly, the letter today is called nothingness.

BR

Letter to Read

Thursday 10 March 2011

Letter to Read (No. 27): Taking the Piss

Dear Ian,

Ok, you know what, I am absolutely indignant about today's meeting.  Do you know why?

Because it was taking the piss.  Yes, that's right, TAKING THE PISS.  And I've had enough of this nonsense, at least for today.

During our wonderful meeting today, in which we were going to find out (AT LAST) so many interesting things about our future, the motto was (apparently): we'll take the piss out of you.

How come? you might ask.  Why so upset, Letter to Read?

Because not only we didn't find out anything new (so, concrete and objective facts, nil) BUT we were also told by the Head of the Site, the following:

1.- That being TUPEd is fantastic.  She doesn't understand why the heck were people making such a big fuss of being transferred directly to a new company that might (or not) close in a couple of year's time.  The redundancy package? of course, Pfizer won't pay because you are not being pfired, you are being TUPEd.  You should be celebrating!

2.- That consultants will come to the site to provide career advice.  Mind you, little Letter to Read made a little calculation in his/her head and realised that since +2400 people will be without a job, we'll need bucketloads of consultants! otherwise we will all spend something like 30 nanoseconds tops with them.

3.- This was the most extraordinary thing of all: the end of the talk was a pep talk.  Yes, that's right.  A pep talk about Pfizer Sandwich! what was it? very simple: our Head of Site decided that not all was horrible.  She decided to highlight ALL the good news that were coming from Pfizer Sandwich in terms of R&D.  Yes, that's right.  Apparently, our little dirty work been very good for the company.  Of the highest standard and very promising. The conclusion of course was that Sandwich was doing excellent research (uh????).

You will understand Ian, that this is, simply just taking the piss and is unacceptable.

One of these days, you and your minions will understand the difference between the real world and the magic world where you seem to live.  For us, your little employees, the difference is quite clear.

I'm mighty annoyed today, just like lots of my colleagues.

Best regards,

Letter to Read

Wednesday 9 March 2011

Letter to Read (No. 26): Tomorrow

Dear Ian.,

V. short tonight.  V. excited.

Tomorrow there will be an announcement! AT LAST! let's see.

Cheers,

Letter to Read

Tuesday 8 March 2011

Letter to Read (No. 25): First Month

Dear Ian, dear all,

I totally forgot that LTR was already 1 month old! the "1 month anniversary" was last week actually, but this calls for a celebration!

Recap of the moth:
---------------------------
1 month
25 "Letters to Read"
+8600 views of the blog and counting
1 obsession
+2400 people looking for jobs
1 Little Letter to Read *seriously* looking for jobs
0 News
3 Helicopters, yay!
0 papers (yet)
0 "secured" job(s) (ouch)
Lots of hope
1 "interview" with Nature Biotechnology
A few e-mails

I'll celebrate cooking some pancakes.  Which fits quite well with the spirit of the day.

"Happy Pancake Day" everyone.

Talk to you tomorrow?

Best

Letter to Read

Monday 7 March 2011

Letter to Read (No. 24): 3 Helicopters

Dear Ian,

Still, no news (!) however Pfizer is a wonderful place where marvellous things happen, so, there is no need to dig too deep for info.

Do you know what I found out today?  guess?  Pfizer has just bought 3 helicopters! isn't this totally incongruous and beautiful?  you would imagine that there is no way to make this more bizarre.

Yep, great news.  Pfizer has just bought 3 helicopters. What for? in this era of cost-controlling policies, operations streamlining and downsizing of R&D you would *obviously* think that all superfluous expenditure would be a "no".  But think again!

However, let's not be too harsh on the board.  Let's try to imagine why, oh why, Pfizer could desperately need 3 helicopters:

1.-  Ian, you are bored of that bleeding NY traffic.  You need to get home pronto!
2.-  Pfizer has decided to separate and declare independence as a new nation, hence, you need to start building your own Army.
3.-  Because the board members want to be able to go to Martha's Vineyard for their holidays.
4.-  Pfizer has decided to support the troops in Afghanistan.
5.-  Because Pfizer, being a global company, needs to get their executive team fast everywhere....assuming that you could actually cross the Atlantic or the Pacific with a helicopter, that is.
6.-  Because Pfizer will start delivering free medicine by air to third world countries.
7.-  Because..."you are worth it"
8.-  Because the board didn't know what to do with the company surplus
9.-  Because the little man living in your head told you so
10.-Because waiting for those fast trains to Margate when you come and visit Sandwich is such a bore (hang on a minute, this is actually not true! since you never come to Sandwich)

Any more reasons?

The article here

Hopefully (fingers crossed!) more news this week.

Yours

Letter to Read

Friday 4 March 2011

Letter to Read (No. 23): Nature calls

Dear Ian, dear all,

Can you believe it? there's people around the world following us AND they want to talk to our Sandwich colleagues. 

The message today (see below) is from a reporter.  It is absolutely guaranteed kosher, I spoke to this person before posting, checked credentials and everything as this person has another e-mail address from Nature (yeah, that's right, THE journal, not mother nature, you get the idea).  You might as well request details if you like before you write.  Nothing is hidden from our perspective.

For everybody: Please read below.  I particularly like the "Dear Readers" greeting :-)

It is important that we help documenting this process.  And you can help.  We are not numbers only, remember? there's people behind those papers, that research, those desks...

If you are (also) angry about the bonus this year, get it out!  XD

Best wishes,

Letter to Read

------------
Dear Readers,

I'm a reporter working for Nature Biotechnology, and am writing a story about how Pfizer's employees are taking the news of the Sandwich site closure.

I want to hear about your reaction to the news, and what your plans are for the coming months.

I'm happy to talk on or off the record, and will be respectful of anyone's wish to stay anonymous.

If you'd like to chat, you can reach me at biotechminator at gmail dot com. (In the next two or three days if possible, as my deadline is looming!)

Thanks very much.

Thursday 3 March 2011

Letter to Read (No. 22): Not only fans

Dear Ian,

You do not only have fans, I'm afraid.  This is a message that was left on little LTR's inbox...beware...is not pretty!

Enjoy?

Best

Letter to Read

--------------------------------

Attention all little LTRs!
Your fate has not yet been decided for you all, please continue to supply your soul to Pfizer Inc. The reason for the delay in my communication has been to ensure that you all dwell in the uncertainty as much as possible - also please feel free to leave the company whenever you like as this will save me money in redundancy.

Yours (un)sincerely,

Read





Wednesday 2 March 2011

Letter to Read (No. 21): Collaborations

Dear Ian, dear all,

Still looking for collaborations to publish your letters on the blog.  You might be surprised but very important printed media around the world are reading this blog and they are interested in OUR views.

The colleagues who, very kindly, have lashed out their frustration in writing know that I won't publish names, not even under torture.  This is anonymous because we all know what is at stake.  Our lives are already quite messed up for me to make it more difficult, so fear not! this is not my blog, this is OUR blog.

Please send me your views, letters or if you just want to moan, "moaning shall set you free", please do so!

Oh, and by the way, there is apparently a little Letter to Read 2 around.  I thought it was somewhat endearing and I do sincerely appreciate your efforts, I honestly do, but I don't think we need a second Letter to Read (my opinion) we just need to keep united! (don't forget, "divide and conquer"...is something we DO NOT want) moreover, if I'm gone before anybody else does (the probability is high 'cause "the end is nigh"), I'm more than glad to pass the torch to somebody else.  Promise.  This is a lot of work by the way.  Little Letter to Read sometimes would like to get some holidays!

Write your stuff and get free therapy!...this is your opportunity to get a really cool pseudonym to publish with!...become a legend that people speak about in hushed tones! or...unleash your inner agony aunt! whatever rocks your boat, little Letter to Read being so cool is certainly not one to judge.  No Sir.

Send your letters to

lettertoread@gmail.com

By the way Ian, if you want your letter to be published, even if it is to moan, I would honestly publish it! I swear! you are the real star of this show!

Best

Letter to Read

Tuesday 1 March 2011

Letter to Read (No. 20): Tough tough

Dear Ian,

Today I'm going to take a bit of a break because one of my job interviews didn't go well and I'm getting stressed.

Best

Letter to Read