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National negotiations between Unite and the BPIF break down

22 February 2011

Annual negotiations between Unite and the British Printing Industries Federation (BPIF) have, once again, failed in 2011, the third year in succession following the BPIF’s consultation with its members over whether or not it wanted to make an offer.

This national agreement, which covers over 20,000 Unite members and negotiates wages, hours, holidays, machine classification, overtime and shift premia, has a very proud history and goes back many decades.

However, two years ago at the height of the credit crunch the BPIF member companies decided they would not be able to make any offer. That did not change for 2010 and for 2011. The BPIF has now announced to Unite’s national bargaining team that it no longer intends to have national bargaining for wages for the foreseeable future.

Steve Sibbald, Unite national officer, said: “We are very disappointed at the BPIF’s response to our claim for an RPI increase this year, however, we were not too surprised considering that it has now been two years without an agreement.

“While aspects of the agreement remain intact for the moment, we believe that the national agreement has served our industry well over many years. Not having it will create an even more fragmented industry where the stronger more organised chapels will be rubbing their hands at the prospect of not having the constraints of a national agreement. While the smaller and weaker chapels will be at the mercy of bad employers, which goes against all the principles of trade unionism.

“Our members have endured big increases in the cost of living over the last year and we intend to give them all the support they need to maintain their living standards.”

There are certain terms and conditions and practices that will remain in place, but this also will be up for discussion later in the year. Just over half of the BPIF employers did not want to continue with national bargaining, however, there is still a sizeable portion of employers that would want to continue with the agreement and another group happy to continue to bargain at local level.

ENDS

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