University printers cut 150 jobs

Cambridge University Press is to make up to 150 people redundant

Cambridge University Press has said up to 150 people are to be made redundant to keep the business viable.

Chief executive Stephen Bourne said a number of options had been explored to find ways to increase profitability.

Unions said they would protest over the job losses affecting 130 people in the printing section and 20 in publishing.

Tom Woodcock, secretary of Cambridge Trades Council, claimed the company was still making a profit and staff felt let down.

The Unite union had said about 170 jobs were under threat at the printing company which is part of the university but Mr Bourne said up to 150 jobs were at risk.

Ignoring sacrifices

"We've been in talks with staff and unions about the seriousness of the situation since last year.

"We intend to maintain a close working relationship with them to ensure affected staff are looked after as much as possible.

"We have been looking at every other option to make the business more profitable - however, our forecasts have revealed it would not be viable in its current form."

Mr Woodcock said: "Cambridge University Press is making a profit but still they are choosing to make 170 jobs redundant, practically ending 425 years of continuous printing in Cambridge.

"They are ignoring the sacrifices that have been made by staff over the last five years that were given on the understanding that there would be job security."