Around 350 jobs set to go at DC Thomson in Dundee
DC Thomson has announced to its staff that it is set to enter a consultation period at its Dundee base which could see around 350 members of staff made redundant.
The company is proposing the closure of its gravure, sheet-fed printing production and book binding operations in Dundee, which sees up to 350 jobs at risk of redundancy alongside the proposed closure of on of the company’s three sites in the city.
No decision has yet been made as to where the titles affected by the move will be printed in future and the company has been keen to stress that it will have no affect on its newspaper business with The Courier, the Evening Telegraph and The Sunday Post for the Scottish market continuing to be printed at its Kingsway premises which is also the site for its gravure printing operation.
It has been proposed that the company’s West Ward site in Guthrie Street would close.
A spokesman for the company said, “These proposed changes are necessary to ensure a strong future for the business which is proud of its heritage, its association with Dundee and the fine journalism which we produce.
“These are difficult times for the publishing industry, but our publications are still amongst the most successful in their field. However, like others, we are not immune to the economic downturn or market conditions.”
The spokesman added that the company remained “fully committed” to its newspapers, magazines and comics business.
“For the last 25 years, DC Thomson unusually has continued to print its own books and magazines despite increasingly difficult market conditions.
“We will do everything we can to minimise the number of compulsory redundancies so we can achieve the change wherever possible through a voluntary arrangement,” added the spokesman.
A 90 day consultation period will now begin for those affected by the decision, while the Glasgow printing operation will also be unaffected by the announcement, following the departure of 34 staff earlier in the year through voluntary redundancy after the company chose to stop its day time printing shift.