News
130 print jobs at risk as Cambridge University Press begins consultation
More than 130 jobs at Cambridge Printing Services have been put on the line after Cambridge University Press, the world's oldest continuous serving publisher, entered into a 90-day consultation period with its staff.
Around 133 positions are expected to be lost as consultation begins today (22 January), which would leave just 37 of the 170-strong workforce still in employment.
Cambridge University Press said that with 80% of its publishing sales located in countries outside the UK, there was an increasing need to offer improved turnaround times and cheaper transport costs.
Through the reorganisation, the Cambridge Printing Services arm will become printer to the European part of the Cambridge University Press' publishing operation.
In a statement, it was claimed the printing division, which has a 425-year-old history in the area, "is unlikely to make a profit in its current form".
Stephen Bourne, chief executive at Cambridge University Press, said: "We know that this is an incredibly difficult time for those staff that are affected, and we will be doing all we can to support them through these changes."
He added: "To enable us to support the areas in which we are genuinely strong, we need to divert resources away from areas that are less promising."
Unite national officer Ann Field said the decision was "completely unacceptable" with the union set to oppose the move to the best of its ability.
She said: "It's a massive loss, especially at this time and we will be demanding meetings, starting from next week."
Around 25 positions are also at risk in the 50-staff Cambridge University Press' UK Education publishing business.
Cambridge University Press: 'incredibly difficult time'
Comments
Grey Beard - 22 January 2009
I didn't see that one coming, not even a rumour and we are local to CUP. I am really sorry for all those concerned. With the pound so low, you would have thought that exports would be competitive. Good luck to all at CUP.
Gary Seymour - 22 January 2009
This is a great shame, i used to work for CUP some 15 years ago for the bindery division. At the time it was located in South London.
I left with the Managing Directors \(Trevor Dunkley) words ringing in my ears that " CUP has never made anyone redundant " How times have changed.
Clive Keeble - 22 January 2009
In the past 24 hours I heard that verious o-o-p CUP academic titles are now to be available POD from CUP - the printing being done by Ingram Industries offshoot Lighning Source
Surely this is one area which CUP should have made every attempt to keep in house and thereby strengthen their own estate.
The Mighty J J - 26 January 2009
Help!!?
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