Jobs axed as Ordnance Survey maps out new era

Ordnance Survey is to outsource the printing of its maps for the first time in more than 200 years, threatening the jobs of 38 workers.

The Prospect union expressed "sadness and anger" at the move to switch the print and warehouse functions to private companies.

Prospect negotiator Ben Middleton said: "The proposed savings are tiny in relation to overall annual turnover.

"These cuts will save around 6 million over five years at an organisation with a turnover of more than 110m a year - worth about 1 per cent.

"It may seem a small number of jobs at risk compared to what is happening everywhere else, but our members fear this is the thin end of the wedge for the dismantling and dispersal of one of the country's oldest government departments, whose reliable and iconic products are extremely popular with the public."

Union branch secretary Don Campbell said: "This is a very sad day, marking the end of an era. Our job as a union now is to make sure that those affected end up where they want to be, whether through an acceptable redundancy package, relocation or finding a new job within Ordnance Survey."

An Ordnance Survey spokesman said: "Following a comprehensive market evaluation and a formal procurement process, Ordnance Survey can confirm that both the print and warehouse operations will be outsourced to external providers.

"The print and finishing contract has been awarded to Butler, Tanner & Dennis Ltd in Somerset and the warehouse and fulfilment contract will be managed by Promotional Logistics Ltd, located in Nottingham.

"The decision to outsource both services follows a review of how Ordnance Survey operates as a business. The new contracts will provide Ordnance Survey with a cost-effective print and warehouse service, taking advantage of the latest print and fulfilment technologies."