The working party involved in ongoing discussions over the future of the Field Group's Thatcham plant (PrintWeek, 13 October) has met again - with the result that negotiations over its future have been temporarily suspended.


According to GPMU national officer Mike Griffiths: "We have managed to hold up any agreement into the giving of notice to employees. If notice was served, it would effectively make them redundant and allow the plant to close."


He added: "The implications of holding up the serving of notice means that, if a buyer were to come in, the staff stand a good chance of being employed by the new owner as part of the transfer of ownership."


Further discussions between the union and management are planned for next week.