Amicus achieves a new partnership in print

Print industry negotiators have taken a further step in updating their national agreement, with the conclusion of a draft partnership agreement and joint code of practice.

The British Printing Industries Federation (BPIF) and professional union Amicus's GPM sector have been working together since November 2003, under the government-funded Partnership at work scheme, to carry out an extensive survey of both organisations' memberships.

Twelve key objectives were identified as common to employers and workers in the sector. These include:

* more dialogue between employers, employees and the union;

* less excessive overtime working;

* help for employees to adapt to change;

* better productivity and profitability; and

* effective recruitment and development of employees.

Reflecting this, the draft document includes new provisions on issues such as flexible working, learning and skills, working time, privacy, voluntary recognition, workplace partnerships and union facilities. There is an improved national sick pay scheme, guidance on the use of temporary workers and a model agreement on the new information and consultation regulations.

The draft document will now go through a consultation process, including a ballot of Amicus members working under the agreement.

"The national agreement was in need of being modernised for the 21st century," said Amicus assistant general secretary Tony Burke. "I believe we have achieved an agreement that will benefit our members working in the printing industry and will provide stability for years to come."

In a separate development, Amicus members have voted in favour of a pay agreement negotiated with the BPIF, worth £7.50 a week for the lowest-paid print workers (see last month's Workplace Report).