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Peter Ellis, Unite national officer, said: “This year’s negotiations concentrated on a money only settlement as our members were telling us that maximising improvements in earnings was by far their number one priority.

“The industry in the main has come through a fairly good year in 2007/8 but the next 12 months is not looking so good. We have a high-density union membership in corrugated board who keep themselves up to speed with their industry’s ups and downs.

“They are well aware that reduced demand for corrugated packaging is an inevitable consequence of a slow-down in consumer spending. This, together with high raw material and energy costs, is reflected in the pragmatic acceptance of this year’s settlement.

“The figure of 3.9% does not meet the current RPI but we are advised by the economic pundits that the rate of inflation will fall within the next 12 months. We are certainly, according to the latest IRS statistics, at the top end of industrial pay settlements for this year.”

-ENDS-

For further information please contact Peter Ellis on 07774 663499 or Ashraf Choudhury in the Unite Press Office on 020 7420 8914 or 07980 224761

http://www.amicustheunion.org/default.aspx?page=9183