Union calls for rethink over print plant closures

A union is putting further pressure on the publisher of the Daily Mirror to rethink its plans to close two printing plants.

Reach is set to dispose of its Watford and Glasgow sites next year, where more than 200 people are employed.

Unite's general secretary, Sharon Graham, said: "It is completely wrong that Reach is intent on making skilled print workers redundant, especially as its financial success was built on their backs."

Reach said its "strategic move" would "position our business for long-term success".

The company adjusted its operating profit for last year to £104.7m, driven it said "by decisive action on costs as we move forward with a leaner and more strategic structure".

The Watford plant, next to the A41 in St Albans Road, employs 147 people.

A staff consultation process has begun. The BBC understands some might be able to be redeployed to Broxbourne, which could increase its staffing levels.

The company's Saltire site in Cardonald would wind down operations in the spring, with production moved to its facility in Oldham.

The move would see some of the brand's Scottish titles, which include the Daily Record and Sunday Mail, printed in England.

It comes as the company announced hundreds of redundancies across its print and online titles in September.

Chief executive Piers North said: "Print remains an important part of our business, and will continue to drive considerable circulation revenue, but our future is firmly rooted in digital.

"This consolidation is a proactive and strategic move, positioning our business for long-term success.

"By refining our print operations, we can focus our attention on content and audiences - the core driver of our business - and accelerate our digital growth opportunities such as our digital subscriptions offering."

Jaswinder Singh, from Unite, said: "Reach has questions to answer. It must give Unite the financial rationale for why it has made this decision and stop withholding this key information."

The company told the BBC it was confident it was meeting all legal obligations in the information being shared with unions and partners.

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