The Bookseller.com

30th August 2008

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Skeleton crew ready at Butler and Tanner

09.07.08 John Ryan

Butler and Tanner is poised to reinstate a “skeleton crew” at its Frome works from Monday. The team’s role will be to inspect the printing machinery and determine what needs to be done before full production can resume.

Stuart North, the Unite representative on the ground for the 287 workers who were sacked in April, said that a Butler and Tanner creditors meeting was due to take place on Tuesday at Frome Football Club. “We’re hoping that a number in the “high 100s” will be reemployed. It really has been a roller-coaster ride,” he said.

Kevin Sarney, who heads the m.b.o team, said however that a number of “issues” remain to be resolved, principally involving landlords and leases, before activity can restart.

“We’ve made an awful lot of progress this week, but we have to be careful that hearts don’t rule heads, because that’s not what this is about. Felix Dennis and his people have been very supportive throughout,” he said.

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