GPMU mid-southern branch secretary John Bunn and prospective Labour candidate Gill Roles presented a petition at the gates of Gardners Books signed by 262 workers demanding better working conditions (PrintWeek, 2 February).


"We had requested that managing director Jonathan Little should meet us and accept the petition," said Bunn.


"We were originally told he would be out visiting customers that day, but having confirmed he was on the premises he refused to come out."


Gardners Books commercial director Bob Jackson, who greeted the delegation in the companys reception, eventually accepted the petition.


The GPMU was concerned that workers at the site were being "intimidated" into working overtime.


It also said they were under pressure not to leave the premises until jobs had been completed, regardless of their working hours.


Little told the Eastbourne Herald in a statement that he "did not take the unions seriously".


"We just hope he takes the letter of the law seriously," said Bunn.


The GPMU will hold a members meeting on 11 February to discuss what action to take.


The GPMU has recruited over 100 Gardners staff including a number in printing and warehousing.