The DTI-funded national agreement covering working conditions, which will be the first of its kind in the UK, will be officially launched on 16 November. It addresses 12 objectives identified as common to employers and employees in a survey of BPIF and Amicus members.

The union hopes the initiative will improve working environments in the printing industry while at the same time increasing company productivity.

It contains clauses on issues such as sick pay, the regulation of agency and temporary workers, and flexible working patterns.

"The new Partnership at Work deal will move industrial relations in the industry into the 21st Century," said Amicus assistant general secretary Tony Burke.