EIGHTEEN months ...
That's the bottom line many employees at The Document Company Xerox are predicting for the rocky Mitcheldean plant.
"Where there's life there is hope," one worker told the Review this week. "There have been grim stories in the past about the factory but we have always pulled through. We can only hope the same applies this time," he said.
"It seems to be different this time. People are looking over their shoulders and they know that every time anyone leaves it means they they are one step closer to the door themselves. It is very worrying," he said.
A recent company announcement outlining actions to "further reduce costs and increase efficiency" across the board of the giant corporation has done nothing to ease fears for the future.
Another worker said: "It has left us in limbo. There are rumours about parts being sold off and work going elsewhere but really we are in the dark. No-one is looking further ahead than a year."
Union officials are contacting local MP Diana Organ and it is hoped political pressure can be used to safeguard jobs.
The company at present employees around 1,500 people at Mitcheldean and the immediate fear is that many of those who work for the Manpower agency will be first to go.