Graphical, paper and media sector overview
The graphical, paper and media
sector of Unite represents workers and staff in all the industries
connected with paper and board manufacture, printing, newspapers,
publishing and the new media.
The Unite graphical, paper and media sector represents
workers employed in the manufacture of printing plates, printing
ink and ink rollers used on printing presses - through to members
working on the latest electronic and media communication systems,
sending news, financial information and data around the world and
directly to your computer.
In the papermaking and paper products industry, Unite members
work in all aspects of the production of paper, board and tissue –
most paper products you come into contact with each day – from your
morning newspaper, your breakfast cereal packet, even your
favourite super soft toilet tissue or kitchen towel are made by
Unite GPM Sector members.
Unite members work in the paper, board and tissue mills in
every capacity – from the office staff, through to production
workers as well as the engineers and electricians who keep the
whole process working.
Despite popular belief, the printing industry is not just
about producing newspapers and magazines. Our members print
everything from greetings cards to envelopes through to printed
products for supermarkets and every kind of packaging including
labels, wrapping, cartons and containers.
And who prints currency, cheques, credit cards and other
security products such as utility and credit card bills? Unite
members. Members of the sector produce ever kind of printed product
– and on every kind of substrate and surface - plastic, film,
beverage containers - on metal and wall coverings are printed and
manufactured by Unite members.
From the adverts and typesetting in your newspapers, books,
magazines, direct mail and marketing products, flyers and
directories - from layout of copy, through to the finished
product, from the printing press through to print finishing and
delivery to the wholesalers and newsagents Unite graphical,
paper media sector members are involved round the clock.
The printing industry is a major contributor to the economy
with the value of sales being worth over £14 billion and ranked
fifth largest within the economy.
The printing industry is made up of more than 12,000 companies
which range in size from major multinational companies to small
family run businesses employing less than five workers -
approximately 90 per cent of companies with the printing industry
employ less than 50 people.
Many Unite members work under national agreements, negotiated
collectively by National Officers. These agreements provide rates
of pay and conditions that provide a basic industry standards.
Unite members benefit from not only national pay bargaining, they
also secure pay increases and better conditions through local
bargaining.
Unite GPM Sector holds national pay
and conditions agreements with:
The British Printing Industries Federation
(Commercial Printing, Magazines, Direct Mail, Packaging, Book
Printing, Graphics, Print Finishing etc).
Scottish Print Employers
Federation (Commercial Printing, Magazines, Direct Mail,
Books, Packaging etc in Scotland).
Confederation of Paper
Industries (Paper, Corrugated Packaging, Board, Tissue
& Paper Products).
Association of Newspaper
and Magazine Wholesalers (Distribution of Newspapers and
Magazines to newsagents, shops etc).
Art Studio-Directories
National Agreement (Designers and Artists involved in the
production of advertistments for Yellow Pages Directories).
Digital and Screen
Printing Association (Display, Promotional and Specialist
Commercial Printing).
Flat Glass
Council (Display and Specialist Printing On Glass
Products).
Irish Master Printers
Federation (Commercial Printing and local newspapers etc
in the Republic Of Ireland).
Jersey Print Industries
Association (Commercial Printing on Jersey C.I.).
Besides these national agreements many Unite
members work under national group agreements including paper and
paper products companies such as Robert Horne and Arjo Wiggins; Ink
makers, Sun Chemicals, as well as local or "house" agreements,
negotiated with their employers, at chapel level (workplace);
branch and national level. Many thousands of Unite GPM sector
members negotiate with their employer directly supported by a team
of full-time and dedicated officials and staff.
As members of Unite our officers and staff
are proud of the service that they provide for all members
regardless of the size of the company for which they work.
Unite GPM Sector officers deal with all
employment issues that are of concern to our members at the
workplace. Not just in the pay negotiations once a year or in
grievance and disciplinary matters but also in recruitment and in
the development of learning and skills in order to support those
members who wish to improve their skill base or learn new
skills.
The Unite GPM Sector is an autonomous
industrial sector with a team of dedicated union organisers, who
can provide help in recruiting and organising workers in the sector
who have not yet joined Unite. We also have a dedicated learning
and skills team providing a valued service to members.
Unite GPM Sector members play a full part in
the union and are currently represented on local branch and
regional committees, on the Unite GPM National Sector Committee and
on the Unite NEC.
On the GPM section of this website there are
regular updates of news from the industry, union news posted for
the information of members working in the sector and details of
services offered by Unite. There is also a discussion group, which
if you are an Unite member you will need to register for.
