46 Lisburn Jobs Relocate To England

Up to 46 jobs in Lisburn are to be relocated to England, following the closure of a factory owned by a marketing services company.

Communisis, which prints cheque books for banks at its premises on Altona Road, said the move was in response to a 50% decline in cheques being used to issue payments.

The positions will be relocated to Cheshire and the Lisburn staff have been told they will have the option of transferring.

But Lisburn Alliance councillor Stephen Martin said most staff "can't just up sticks and move.

"The majority of staff in Lisburn have responsibilities such as young families and mortgages", he said.

Councillor Martin said he had spoken to Andy Blundell, the Chief Executive of Communisis, following the recent news.

He said: "Mr Blundell stated that due to vacancies in their Crewe site, transfer opportunities would be available. He has stated that there was a higher than expected level of interest from those working in Lisburn at a possible move."

The firm's director of human resources, Tony Commons, spoke to the BBC, stating: "We've had downsizing in all our facilities as the demand for cheques has reduced.

"It's a very sad time because it's a good workforce and a good factory."

In a statement, the Unite union said there was a "deep reluctance to accept" the company's decision to relocate its business.

Unite's regional organiser, Joanne McWilliams, said both the union and the firm had tried, without success, to find alternative work for the printing plant.

She told the BBC: "We have gone round the houses on this but to no avail.

"The union is now looking to secure the best redundancy deal for our members."

(IT)