GPMU, CPI strive to avert strike

GPMU representatives and Confederation of Paper Industry (CPI) officials were set to meet in a last ditch attempt to prevent industrial action.

The meeting, held today, will once again bring together union representatives and CPI officials, as they seek to reach a successful wage agreement.  

This follows GPMU members' rejection of a 2.85% pay increase in June. 

GPMU president Ray Williams said that if no satisfactory agreement is reached at the meeting, held at CPI headquarters in Swindon, then strike action would be called for. 

This would take place with effect from midnight on 25 August until midnight the following day, and will involve four-hour stoppages on each shift at all CPI member mills. 

This will involve more than 4,500 GPMU members in the paper industry. 

In an attempt to stave off the action, CPI director general Dr Martin Oldman said the CPI had gone back to its members to see if the pay offer could be improved upon.  

He declined to comment further ahead of the meeting. 

Some 67 out of 80 paper and board mills in the UK are CPI members. 

Story by Andy Scott