Amicus, the UK's largest private sector union, is seeking to establish an information and consultation agreement at Macmillan's Publishers in line with the new information and consultation regulations.
Macmillan's tried to set up arrangements to inform and consult staff about issues relating to their jobs, which were well below the minimum requirements recommended by Amicus. Furthermore, although Amicus members officially triggered the legal process to establish decent and proper information and consultation provisions, the company refused to acknowledge their request. The result was a complaint lodged with the Central Arbitration Committee to force Macmillan's to comply with the regulations.
Tony Burke, Assistant General Secretary of Amicus says: "Unfortunately, if Macmillan's attempt to establish substandard information and consultation arrangements, which undermine the whole spirit of the new regulations, then we are left with no choice than to go through the legal route so that our members can benefit from these new rights."
Amicus and its members at the publishing company, which employs over 1,300 people in London, Oxford, Basingstoke and Swansea, are asking for the right to be informed and consulted over issues that are fundamental to their employment and job security.
Amicus has already reached agreement on the implementation of the new Information and Consultation Regulations with the employers' body, the British Printing Industries Federation. Amicus is also already in discussions with a number of large companies in the printing and paper industries.
"Amicus reps in the publishing industry have told us that they want proper rights to be informed and consulted about what is going on in their workplaces," added Tony Burke.
"The publishing industry is constantly changing. It is vital that employees are informed and consulted in changes that will affect their livelihoods. If this doesn't happen workers start to feel disenfranchised and that can't be good for morale."
To help its members and the 1,300 employees at the company, Amicus has set up the first ever website which campaigns around the new legislation.
www.amicustheunion.org/macmillans
Under the regulations an employee must first make a request to their employer and be supported by fellow employees. The agreement should cover areas such as: Recruitment; Redundancy; Threats to employment; Retirement; Working hours; Redeployments; Relocation; Skill development; Flexible working; Mergers; New technology; Company takeover; Turnover; Business transfers; Health & Safety; Overtime; Equal opportunities; Training; Production and Sales; Ways of working and Reorganisation.
