More than 30 newspaper jobs are under threat in Chesterfield after proposals were put forward to close the pre-press department at the Derbyshire Times’ offices.

Staff there are responsible for page setting and inputting and transmitting adverts for dozens of newspapers published by Wilfred Edmunds Ltd and North Notts Newspapers Ltd.

But parent company Johnston Press has said it plans to transfer the work to Sheffield, where an enlarged pre-press department is being created at the Sheffield Star offices.

The 35 pre-press staff currently based at Chesterfield have been told that there are 26 posts available at Sheffield and three will remain at Chesterfield.

Anyone who is not redeployed will be made redundant.

A company statement said: “Johnston Press plc has announced the proposed closure of the pre-press department in Chesterfield following a review of the business.

“Should the proposal proceed up to 35 jobs will be at risk of redundancy. The company will seek to minimise the impact on staff through redeployment to an enlarged pre-press department in Sheffield and through voluntary redundancy.

“Those affected by the proposal have been notified and the company has entered into consultation with them and their trade union representatives.”

Kevin Bingham, an Amicus union representative who works in pre-press at Chesterfield, told HoldtheFrontPage that talks were taking place with management, but there were still a lot of unanswered questions.

He said: “There are 26 new positions but as yet we have no terms and conditions.

“We have not been given details of hours or pay scale – although they have been running an advert in the Sheffield paper with a salary of £6,000 less that what we are on.”

He added: “Many of us have worked for the company for 30 or even 40 years, but this is what it comes down to and it doesn’t count for anything.”

Talks are expected to be completed by May 10.

There is a proposed 15-week phasing out plan and changes are expected to be complete by October 1. Do you have a story about the regional press?
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