"The principle concern"... is that the BPIF has not been prepared to give a recommendation of support to its members for introduction of a statutory training levy," the document says.
GPMU national officer Mike Griffiths, who sat on the Print 21 steering committee, said the union's decision was "made more in sorrow than anger".
One of the recommendations set out in the joint BPIF/DTI Print 21 competitiveness study was the introduction of a "statutory training network". And Griffiths said the BPIF's refusal to support that was "symptomatic of its failure to give proper leadership" for Print 21.
"We are totally committed to the competitiveness agenda but it is useless if we can't improve the industry's skill base," Griffiths said.
The union has informed the relevant ministers about its lack of support and plans to issue a full statement on its stance in due course.
A source told PrintWeek the BPIF had been close to securing funding from the DfES for a consultation on a levy but in light of the GPMU's actions it was refused. Griffiths said its results were likely to have been "inconclusive".
The BPIF declined to comment and a spokeswoman from the DTI would only confirm the bid was received last Friday. Union support is believed to be preferable but not essential.
Story by Lauretta Roberts
