Last week (2 March) the company announced it was in consultation with 145 employees at its litho carton facility.

It intends to close the plant because the building is too old to renovate, with the facility being relocated to Newcastle.

Although no numbers have been confirmed at this stage, PrintWeek understands that the company is looking to move 70 employees, who will work continental shifts of three 12-hour days.

Unite has said it is negotiating the best relocation package it can for its members. However, Unite national officer Peter Ellis said that it would be difficult to convince that many staff to make the move.

He said: "It is about a two and a half hour drive. With a 12-hour shift that is a 17-hour day, which is dangerous. I think Chesapeake will find it difficult to get the numbers it wants to move up there, unless they offer incentives. People will need to sell their houses if they are to move up there, the costs associated could be very large."

"Of course our other concern is that there are not the jobs around in Bradford for those that are made redundant."

He added that the union had suggested some of the displaced staff could move to Chesapeake's Nottingham facility, which is understood to have vacancies.

Ellis did say that some of the better paid employees may be attracted by the move. "With the continental shift pattern some of the guys could get digs up there, stay while they are at work then drive home after their last shift.