News

UNI Graphical celebrated its first Global Conference on Security Printing in Zagreb on November 18-19. An interesting work prospect opens up for the sector in terms of assuring the full participation of the unions in the decisions that are made on the printing of the Euro and other possible privatization processes under way, as well as for implementing networks around the key companies, such as the British Thomas de la Rue and the German Giesecke & Devrient







The expectations of UNI Graphical Global Union on the number of participants was far surpassed in a Conference where we had more than fifty union representatives from four continents, and the special intervention of members from UNI Finance. Knowledge of the subject matter, full participation in the debate, determination to grow, commitment to carry out the plans adopted during the discussion: this could be the snapshot that describes the excellent group of union activists who gathered at this meeting.



“We are here to formulate joint strategies whose fundamental sense is to defend jobs and quality at the workplace in the security printing sector,” said Michel Muller, President of UNI Graphical. “Large conglomerates in this sector have reinforced their capacity to expand at the global level and the processes of privatization underway could lead to the confrontation of workers against each other in a battle which will only be won by the large companies.” he stated.





At the head table: Stepjan Kolaric, Graficara-Croacia; Nicola Konstantinou, UNI Europa Graphical; Michel and Adriana



UNI Graphical Global Union convened this Conference to be able to establish true dialogue and coordination among all the unions that represent workers involved in this sector. It is a sector that is growing and diversifying not only with the production of coins and paper currency and government documents, but also credit cards, smart cards, packaging for medicines, and other areas that are fully under development. “It is fundamental for us to observe the technological evolution and rapid expansion taking place in this arena, and in this framework, develop appropriate union strategies, such as support for the construction of networks, and the contribution of new European Works Councils.” stated Peter Ellis of UNITE.





Olga Vinogrodova making her presentation on profiles of the main companies



“These companies have to clearly formulate their social responsibility policies.” said Steve Walsh, President of UNI G APRO. “They handle personal information on millions of individuals and have to take extreme security measures on this data. Complete transparency is required for this as well as a clear relationship between all the parties, starting with the workers and their unions.” concluded Steve.







The companies are safe…. but how safe are the working conditions of the workers?

An important part of the meeting was dedicated to analyzing the occupational health and safety conditions of workers in this sector. “There take care of the paper, they take care of the ink, there is a permanent supervision on the production and the database, but in Brazil the workers in security printing companies have problems with stress, the use of dangerous chemical products, and injuries from repetitive stress.” said Leonardo del Roy from Brazil and President of UNI Graphical Americas. “The companies have to be concerned about the safety of their products, but fundamentally about the safety of those who produce them.” he underscored.



Conflict in E-Kart, Turkey

The participants sent warm support to the workers on strike at E-Kart, whose struggle for union recognition and respect for collective bargaining was highlighted by all participants. Basin-Is expressed its gratitude for the support given by UNI, UNI Graphical and especially by the colleagues from ver.di.





Representatives from Basin-Is, Turkey



Action Program

The participants formulated the following proposals:

• Promote the implementation of union networks around the most important multinationals in the security printing sector, prioritizing at the beginning some of the more global ones that also have the highest union density such as, Thomas de la Rue, G & D and Thomas Gregg. “Networks are the most appropriate way to build a balance of forces favorable to workers.” said Duncan Brown, President of the Working Group on Multinationals. “Through the networks, we as unions meet, participate, discuss, agree and are able to develop union organizing policies and fight jointly for the recognition of unions and the right to collective bargaining.”

The participants underscored the fact that one of the main elements for active and productive networks is the commitment of the unions located in the country of origin of the companies. In this vein, the commitment of UNITE and ver.di to take on the leadership of two of the networks was appreciated by the participants. Andreas Fröhlich from ver.di highlighted that a detailed exchange of information on working conditions in the different companies that operate in the field of security printing would be very useful for organizing and collective bargaining.





Working Group and Representatives of Ver.di



The participants underscored the fact that one of the main elements for active and productive networks is the commitment of the unions located in the country of origin of the companies. In this vein, the commitment of UNITE and ver.di to take on the leadership of two of the networks was appreciated by the participants. Andreas Fröhlich from ver.di highlighted that a detailed exchange of information on working conditions in the different companies that operate in the field of security printing would be very useful for organizing and collective bargaining.

• Organizing new members by gathering data on the main companies and our possibilities for supporting the establishment and recognition of new unions.
  
• Establishment of a new network where public and private sector workers can have the opportunity to exchange information and support each other as needed.
  
• Dissemination of the discussions carried out at the Conference and drafting of a leaflet to be distributed in 2009.
  
• Convene a Working Group to follow-up on the main decisions made by the participants.

“This has been a great opportunity to bring together all the knowledge we had about the sector and to take a step forward through action strategies that lead us to be relevant players within it,” said Adriana Rosenzvaig.



Michel closed the event stating “…the discussions were excellent, but the most important thing has been the action program we agreed to, which will be implemented immediately.”





For more information about this conference: Adriana.rosenzvaig@uniglobalunion.org