Visual Print’s MD moves To Solopress
Graham Hunstone, managing director of recently acquired print provider, Visual Print & Design, has been hired as head of partnerships by fellow UK printer, Solopress
Unite the union has announced workers at Saica Paper UK will take industrial action in April
UK union Unite has announced that employees at the Saica Paper factory in Manchester will strike at the end of April and beginning of May due to a pay dispute.
Saica Group offers a range of services from its various locations across the globe, including the production of flexible, paper, cardboard, and packaging solutions, along with comprehensive waste management.
40 members of Unite who undertake various production roles at the Saica Paper factory in Manchester will be taking part in the strike in April and May.
The factory based on Manchester Road produces 100% recycled paper for corrugated cardboard used largely for packaging.
Workers voted 97% in favour of strike action after rejecting a below inflation pay offer, demonstrating the continued struggle for companies and workers facing increasing costs and prices.
The Saica employees were offered a 9.5% pay increase, which Unite states is a “real term pay cut” due to the current rate of inflation standing at 13.8%. On average workers received just 6.5% of the offer as a consolidated increase (permanent pay) with the rest being offered as a one-off lump sum.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham, says: “Saica Paper is a highly profitable company which could and should be rewarding its workers with a fair pay increase. It is the hard work of our members which has made the company successful, and it is only right that they receive a fair share of the company’s profits.
“Unite is totally focused on the jobs, pay and conditions of its members and the workers at Saica Paper will receive the union’s unswerving support.”
With sites in the United States of America, France, Ireland, and its native Spain, Saica sees itself at the forefront of innovation, sustainability, and quality thanks to its 80-year history.
At the time of its 80th anniversary, chairman of the Saica Group, Ramón Alejandro said: "Saica arrives at this moment better and stronger than ever with the same spirit with which its founders conceived this then small paper mill.”
The Paper arm of Saica sells largely to sister company, Saica Pack, whose clients include Amazon, Domino’s, Diageo, and Intersnack. Unite has highlighted that the company made a gross profit of £69m in 2021, with profits steadily increasing over recent years.
Unite regional officer Gary Fairclough, comments: “Strike action will inevitably cause severe disruption to Saica Paper’s customers, but this dispute is entirely of the company’s own making. Pay talks began in September last year and it has stubbornly refused to make a fair pay offer.”
“While the company is highly profitable our members are struggling to pay their food and heating bills during the worst cost of living crisis experienced in the UK for decades.”
The initial series of six-, 12-, and 24-hour strikes will take place on April 21st, 25th, and 29th and will be followed by action on May 1st, 5th, and 8th.
If you’d like to share news or opinions with us feel free to email at news@printmonthly.co.uk or join in with the conversation on Twitter and LinkedIn.
