News

Pay Deals 2009



Following the failure to secure a pay increase with the BPIF for 2009, meetings of reps in the large print and packaging groups have taken place along with meetings held by Regional Officers with other chapel reps in their areas.



There is no doubt that the recession is beginning to bite deep into the printing industry and many chapel reps have reported that members have voted not to press for a pay increase at this time. However, chapel officers have also reported that they will be looking to secure some form of pay increase if and when the economy picks up.



Equally, a number of chapels have reported that they have secured a pay increase for this year - the Unite GPM NSC's recommended settlement of 2% on all earnings with no strings. Some chapels have reported in that they have secured 1%, 1.75%, 2%, 2.5% on earning, with no strings.



In Scotland, a meeting of Unite reps rejected a pay freeze proposed by the Scottish Print Employers Federation and a ballot of members working under the agreement in Scotland is currently being organised.



A data base of pay deals with details of these settlements is available on request to Unite GPM FOC's-MOC's via steve.sibbald@unitetheunion.com



If your chapel has secured any form of pay deal for 2009 please email Steve Sibbald at the email address above with details. Equally, a number of chapels have reported that they have secured a pay increase for this year - the Unite GPM NSC's recommended settlement is for 2% on all earnings with no strings.



Meanwhile job losses continue to mount in the print, packaging and paper sector with St. Ives Andover the latest company to propose closure with the loss of 100 jobs, while Newsquest at Brighton is proposing to close its press room with the loss of over 50 jobs.



Our sister union in Germany, Ver.di have advised us that they have secured the following pay agreement for the printing industry. There will be a two year agreement with a 280€ (130€ for trainees) lump sum payment in September 2009 and a 2% pay rise in April 2010.



The total pay deal is worth 2.9%. The national framework agreement in Germany has been extended to 1st September 2011. Industrial action took place in 70 print plants covering around 5000 workers between 19th May and 2nd June.



According to Labour Research wage freezes and pay cuts across all sectors of the economy show no signs of let-up in this recession. Newly-agreed pay deals continue to bear the brunt of the recession compared to long-term settlements, with around 40% resulting in wage freezes or even pay cuts.

 

Pay freezes make up 23% of all pay deals for the three-month period from March to May. But when these figures are divided into long-term deals and new deals, it is clear that the majority of freezes and cuts are being applied to newly-negotiated pay settlements. Pay median levels overall are down on last year's figures, but remain close to inflation levels at 2.4%. This figure is being propped up by the stability of a large number of long-term deals continuing to deliver above-inflation pay rises.



Article taken from Unite GPM Sector e-bulletin