Polestar Greaves' workforce approve 'inevitable' closure

There was a "degree of inevitability" to the outcome of an "emotional meeting" with Polestar Greaves' workers as they accepted the firm's closure package, paving the way for a 9 April shutdown.

The package, which involved "redeployment opportunities, redundancy terms and provision of advice and support for those being made redundant", was put to the chapel at a meeting on Saturday (26 January).

Polestar Greaves managing director Andy Reynoldson said: "We are extremely grateful to the employees for their co-operation.

"With their ongoing support, we can ensure the final closure is conducted as efficiently and professionally as possible."

Unite national officer Vernon Robson, who blamed the closure on overcapacity, the "geography of the Scarborough site" and "very old machinery", said staff "thought there was no realistic chance of keeping it open".

The closure of the gravure plant will affect up to half the 380 jobs at Greaves.

According to Robson, 20 openings – most permanent and some temporary – had been created. He said Polestar wanted "some" staff to go to Sheffield for training ahead of work being moved over. There had also been "a few vacancies created in the bindery".

Polestar announced plans to decommission three presses at the print facility earlier this month, but said the finishing department would remain operational.

Robson said: "The company has assured us the equipment will not go to the UK or Western Europe." He claimed it would likely be sold into Eastern Europe or Africa.

Greaves produces magazines and newspaper supplements including Hello!, Woman's Weekly for IPC Media, Stella for The Telegraph, Take 5 and S Magazine for Express Newspapers and Life for The Independent.

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