Largest printer in the world signs European Works Council agreement
16th October 2009
Unite is pleased that RR Donnelley, the largest printer in the
world with an estimated workforce of more than 70,000, has now
signed a European Works Council (EWC) agreement with a 'Special
Negotiating Body' representing employees in 12 different countries
in the European Union.
The negotiations for an EWC have been continuing for the last 3
years, since the legal request was made by GPM sector of Unite and
French union, FILPAC CGT.
During that time a new directive has been issued which will
deliver big improvements for employees in consultation and
representation obligations.
In spite of these improvements not being instigated for at least
another two years, RR Donnelley nevertheless has incorporated the
new provisions within the agreement and it is believed this is the
very first new EWC which has incorporated the new
provisions.
Steve Sibbald, national officer for Unite, who was selected as
the negotiator for the special negotiating body, said: “We are very
pleased with the outcome of our negotiations with the company. The
company has been very positive in its proposal for an agreement
which made negotiations very constructive and which has resulted in
a good agreement for Donnelley’s European employees.”
The chair of the SNB, Andy Howley, who is also the FOC at RR
Donnelley in Flaxby Moor was also “delighted” with the outcome of
the negotiations. The vice president of RR Donnelley Global, Mark
Brothers, flew over from Chicago to sign the agreement on behalf of
the company and said he was pleased with the outcome of
negotiations and assured the representatives that the company
intended to make the agreement work for the benefit of the company
and its European employees.
ENDS
For further information please contact Steve Sibbald on 07860
538537 or Ashraf Choudhury in the Unite Press Office on 020 7420
8914 or 07980 224761.
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