Polestar is halfway through a 30-day consultation period with the GPMU after proposing to cut a quarter of the 129-strong shopfloor workforce at its Chromoworks plant in Nottingham.
In a letter to staff, the plants managing director, Peter Clark, said it had been experiencing serious trading problems, leaving it in "an increasingly poor financial position".
He cited overcapacity and "dramatically declining" price levels, and said there was no sign of trading conditions improving.
The 32 proposed redundancies will see 20 jobs going from the press hall and cuts across the pre-press, forklift, maintenance, supervisory and administration departments.
Polestar wants to move the site from a four-shift working pattern over six days to a three-shift pattern over five days.
Clark said the structure and shape of Chromoworks must change to "protect the majority of staff and jobs by putting the business on a sound economic footing".
The firm wants to reduce capacity and its "wholly unsustainable" costs.
Story by Gordon Carson
Have your say in the Printweek Poll
Related stories
Latest comments
"Well done all involved... great to see the investment to increase the productivity in the same footprint- much more sustainable than popping another one up."
"From 1949 until the late 2000s Remploy had a network of government-subsidised factories that offered employment specifically to disabled people, originally often war veterans or victims of industrial..."
"Does appear an odd decision as with that level of shareholder funds they would be liable for the staff redundancy and cover the insolvency costs. It’s not like they could take the money and dodge..."
Up next...
Andrew Whyte takes reins
MBO at LT Print Group ensures smooth transition
Educational day in Yorkshire
Northern Stationers see historic print and more in York
Supporting growth in new and existing markets
WTTB backs digital intentions with new e-commerce specialist
Investment in e-commerce fulfilment