News
Unite set to hold protest over proposed Cambridge University Press job cuts
Unite is to hold a rally to oppose plans to shed 133 jobs at Cambridge University Press's printing division, Cambridge Printing Services, it has been announced.
The 425-year-old printing and publishing business announced last month that it had entered into consultation over the jobs as it countered the globalisation of its markets.
However, the union has launched a campaign to resist the job losses, which include around 20 further jobs at the company's publishing arm.
Unite regional officer Steve Ireland claimed the move marked the "death knell of 425 years of printing at the press".
He said: "It's ironic that in a year that the University celebrates its 800th anniversary and the Press it's 425th, that many Cambridge families should have their lives devastated.
"Consultation and negotiating meetings with the management are now in process in an effort to stop the print management and the University from closing the print works."
The rally will be held on Saturday 14 February at 12 noon at the Guild Hall, Cambridge, and will be addressed by guest speakers and supporters.
Unite: plans mark 'death knell' of CUP printing
Comments
THEHAND OFGOD - 06 February 2009
Go quietly with dignity like the rest of em'.Capitalism is creating the whirlwind of consolidation,greedy shareholders protecting their fortunes,and to hell with the masses.The bed was made before "New Labour",but they were only too keen to jump in.So too late for rallies,and as the footie song goes,where wer u at,TPL,Graphoprint,Cradley,Jarrold,Hunters,Cooper Clegg,etc.
THEHAND OFGOD - 06 February 2009
And dont even get me started on Israeli money lenders,and friends!
Giles Print - 08 February 2009
What candy floss world do these people live in? It's too late. Period. Yes it's sad but the union needs a reality check. You should have justified your existence before even tho it would have been futile.
You cannot see £1 notes for 70p.
The work will go elsewhwre because of economics. In the end it always comes back to the money.
Bite the bullet, do it quickly, change, evolve but accept it and move on.
As Charles Darwin said it is not the survival of the fittest, it is those with the greatest ability to change who will evolve victorious.
Jon Fennell - 09 February 2009
Sad to say that the money talks, its lucky it hadn't happened before.
Bryn Oakley - 09 February 2009
Isn't the 'credit crunch' the catalyst for all large organisations to take a look at themselves? Anything that isn't 'Core Business' will surely come under the spyglass. We saw it in the late 80's, and no doubt will see it again. It is very sad for the employees, but I too think it is probably too late for union intervention. The writing may already be on the wall for this in-plant and many others besides. It may be good news for the trade in some ways, as the print will be out-sourced, but probably by a print management firm, unless CUP retain a very good print buyer and team who can source each item as it arises, a big job for someone! No doubt talks have already been held between management and a probable PM source.
Jon Fennell - 09 February 2009
If these products have a 6+ week delivery China, India or Dubai will prove attractive. The key to how this will be done is the staff they leave behind.
Save Print - 09 February 2009
If the people at Unite think they are so great, why don't they buy it as it is and run it? See how successful they would be. Sorry, but the days of the Unions are long gone. Good luck to all those employees and families caught up.
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