In a joint press release, labor union Unia and management of biotech firm Merck Serono stated that they could not come to terms in a mediation process over the company’s soon-to-be shuttered headquarters in Geneva.

Unia said the affected employees decided with an overwhelming majority not to accept the firm’s “paltry offer.”

Merck Serono had offered to improve the social plan by four percent, but says now individual discussions will take place.

The closure of Merck Serono’s site will see 500 jobs cut, and potentially 750 relocations.