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Unite, Britain's largest union, has branded the decision to award a multi-million pound Olympic ticket printing contract to an American firm, as a 'kick in the teeth' for the UK print industry.

The decision by the London 2012 organising committee, comes at the same time as thousands of print workers continue to lose their jobs in the UK.

Unite national officer, Steve Sibbald, said:

“The commercial print industry has been struggling to survive for the last four years during this economic downturn. This contract would have been a huge boost to many businesses and their workers.

“The billions of pounds of taxpayers money spent on the Olympics is supposed to benefit the UK economy. I don’t see how awarding this contact to an American firm will benefit UK workers or the UK print industry.

“This appalling decision is a kick in the teeth to print workers and businesses in the UK.”

The contract has been issued to Weldon, Williams & Lick of Fort William and will have to be shipped from Arkansas to the UK.

For further information contact Steve Sibbald on 07860 538537 or Ashraf Choudhury in the Unite press office on 020 7420 8914 or 07980 224761.