News

Following the failure to secure a reasonable pay increase under the BPIF National Agreement this year the Unite GPM National Sector Committee has begun a round of consultation with FOC's and MOC's across the printing industry.



The National Sector Committee have agreed that reps meetings within the big groups in the printing industry should take place. Meetings with Regional Officials are also underway to prepare the ground for chapels to submit pay claims locally and to support chapels in their demands.



Chapels in the big groups are holding meetings to discuss the situation and National and Regional Officers are preparing the ground to speak to members and chapels in medium sized and small companies.



Unite recognises that the industry is going trough a tough time - but some companies are able to pay a reasonable increase this year.



But some chapels have already secured pay increases ranging from 2% to through to 3.5% in print and packaging companies, with other chapels intent on supporting calls for industrial action to secure a reasonable deal.



National and Regional officers are also aware that some companies are using the current recession to drive down wages, threatening job losses if chapels don't accept changes to working conditions which have been hard won over many years.



"Unite is prepared to help companies during these difficult times - the initiatives on small companies, getting training grants from the Government, campaigning for Government aided short-time working assistance, looking to the future on skills all come from Unite. However there are companies who are "trying it on" to say the least" said Unite Assistant General Secretary. Tony Burke. "We are prepared to support chapels and members who are faced with pay cuts, imposed short time working and we will provide legal and industrial support where it’s needed."



Further updates on developments on the BPIF Pay Award and advice to chapels will be emailed directly to FOC's/MOC's and Reps.

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