Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-2) sent the following letter today to Jeffrey B. Kindler, CEO of Pfizer Inc, expressing their concern over recent reports that suggest the company has been training foreign contractors to replace local workers at their facilities in New London and Groton.

The full text of the letter is below:

November 3, 2008

Mr. Jeffrey B. Kindler
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
Pfizer Inc.
235 East 42nd Street
New York, NY 10017

Dear Mr. Kindler,

We are writing today to express our concerns over media reports that Pfizer has been training foreign contractors to replace local information technology workers at the New London and Groton facilities as part of a new, company-wide policy known as Procedure 117. In our view, any reorganization that would result in the loss of jobs for local workers would be troubling, and we would urge you in the strongest terms to reconsider any such action.

We are also concerned that, thus far, Pfizer has not publicly released information about any pending moves under Procedure 117. The only information available has come piecemeal from the workers themselves, who are understandably worried about the possibility of losing their jobs.

Given Pfizer’s critical importance as one of the largest employers in southeastern Connecticut, we hope you will be able to provide us with information regarding these potential workforce changes at Pfizer. First, we would like to know if these press reports are accurate. If these initiatives are indeed under consideration, we would appreciate answers to the following questions:

• How many workers will be affected by these changes? Will any compensation be offered to those contractors who are not re-hired?

• How will the salary and benefit packages of those who are retained following this reorganization be affected?

• Of the jobs currently performed by Pfizer employees or local contractors in Groton and New London, how many will be relocated overseas?

• How many workers in Groton and New London will be replaced by foreign contractors residing in the United States on H1-B visas? If skilled workers are already available for these jobs locally, why does Pfizer find it necessary to hire workers from abroad?

Thank you in advance for your response to this request. Should you have any questions or wish to discuss this request further, please feel free to reach out to us at any time.

-30-