A leading international print unionist says the future of printing, packaging and graphical industries remains positive – despite changes to technology threatening jobs and the rise of multinational companies. 

Steve Walsh, the former national secretary of the AMWU’s print division, now the Geneva based department head of peak printing union UniGlobal, spoke with the AMWU News during a short visit to Australia in September.

He said recent agreements reached with large multinational companies, Amcor and Kimberley Clark, would pave the way for a better future for printing workers in developing countries. 

“We’ve created a global dialogue agreement with Kimberley Clark which establishes protocols as far as organising, freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining. The core ILO (International Labor Organization) standards.

“Through our strength in various countries we’re able to influence the behavior of some of these multinationals in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Africa.”

Earlier this year Mr Walsh toured Kimberley Clark plants across Latin America– with Columbia being a particular focus for UniGlobal.

“It’s one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a union official. If we can influence the behavior of multinationals in a place like Columbia – we’re making improvements to workers lives.” 

Strong international dialogue between affiliated printing unions (such as the AMWU) and multinational companies was essential to improving the lives of print workers in poor countries.

But he stressed it needed to be accompanied by local, grass roots union activity.

“We need to build strong unions there. Not only to improve the standard of living for those people living there. But to try and create a level playing field for everyone.

“A lot of people will say it’s utopia but there are success stories.”

And while print union members in developing countries still struggle to have their labour rights recognized, Mr Walsh said union members in Australia, the UK and Europe were facing different but equally threatening challenges.  

“It’s really quite scary the number of jobs that are being lost in the print and packaging sector, as company close or merge.

“The advancements in technology – e-books are certainly having an impact on the book industry – as is the move towards electronic communications.”

Whilst the outlook may appear grim Mr Walsh argued there was much to be positive about.

“We may have seen the death of the small corner printer, churning our letterheads and business cards.

“But people still want quality, and that is where the industry’s future must be made.”

He predicted new opportunities lay ahead for print workers – especially in the rapidly evolving graphical sector.

“If you look at the major printers internationally – Donnelley, Quad Graphics –  you’ll see that everyday they’re announcing moves into logistics, going into providing a total communications package. That means online advertising as well.

“I think there are new opportunities around digital printing, webpage design, multimedia. I don’t tend to talk about print work these days, I talk about graphical work.

“It’s a subtle change of language but as a former print worker, we’re in the communications business. And just because the substrata has changed from paper to a screen– it still requires the same skills.”