CGNU is in discussion with Opus Trust about the sale of its 7400m Basildon print inplant, which employs 60 staff.


We were approached out of the blue, said CGNU head of media relations Ian Frater.


Opus Trust, which has 450 staff and offers direct marketing and IT services, wants to buy the inplant to gain print expertise for its direct mail operation.


CGNU staff said they had been assured they would stay at the same site under the same terms and conditions if the sale went through.


Opus Trust said it would retain the same staff at the site and was looking at buying further machinery.


We are hoping to meet with the company to discuss whats going to happen there, said Hertfordshire and Essex GPMU branch officer Geoff Usher.


CGNU was formed by the merger of Norwich Union and CGU last May.


Story by Jeremy Allen