Polestar has made a third of the bindery staff redundant at Watmoughs in Bradford in a move that was marred by an alleged assault at a GPMU chapel meeting to discuss the groups proposals.


The group said 74 staff working full-time hours would lose their jobs and all but nine of those to go were casual employees. The bindery employed 219 people.


Police arrested a 27-year-old Bradford man in connection with an alleged assault at the plant on Tuesday 15 May. He was released on police bail.


GPMU national officer Mike Griffiths said a man who wasnt involved in the incident had sent a letter of complaint to general secretary Tony Dubbins.


He asked Griffiths to investigate the claims and he interviewed a number of staff at Watmoughs on Tuesday (22 May).


He said GPMU branch secretary Ronnie Fieldhouse and branch officers were present at the meeting. Union members voted to accept Polestars proposals.


Fieldhouse would not comment and referred enquiries to GPMU head office. Griffiths said such an incident was "highly unusual" for GPMU chapel meetings.


Polestar is making the redundancies to improve efficiency and productivity.


Griffiths said the union had been negotiating with Polestar about changes in terms and conditions and redundancies. "The major outcome is to reduce the dependence on casual staff," he added.


Polestar has suspended two members of staff in connection with the alleged assault.


There was also a management reshuffle at the plant. This took place before the GPMUs meeting. Managing director David Forrester, who joined Watmoughs last October to replace Adrian Rumble, has moved to the groups East Kilbride plant as manufacturing director.


Polestar Chromoworks managing director Peter Clark will also assume responsibility for Watmoughs. He will be assisted by manufacturing director Trevor Gee.


Story by Gordon Carson