Against Unite wishes, members at the site agreed to accept 163 redundancies, as well as changes to working conditions in late 2008. Working hours were increased from 36 to 42 hours, with no pay increase.

The company announced this week that had moved the average week to 39-hours.

According to Unite, the situation had become a "bone of contention" with employees over the last two years.

Employees will also take part in a production improvement scheme, which could see bonuses of 3% paid out.

National officer Steve Sibbald said: "It was in the company's interest to agree to a 39-hour week. This will help left morale, which had become quite low. We hope that that the improved morale can help the company back into profitability so that they can take on more staff in the future."

Not all employees are understood to be covered by the agreement. The bindery and press hall chapels, which make up the bulk of the workforce, have been included, but the bindery assistants' chapel isn't. Sibbald said that he expected that chapel to follow suite soon.

Wyndeham Heron managing directors Dave Emeny said: "The Heron workforce has recognised the need to work closely with the business to ensure its long term viability. There is now the opportunity to reduce the working week to an average 39 hour week with their continued cooperation."