Union Commitment

In 1993, Will Copy and Print, and later EMAR the large format printing division, supported working people, both blue and white collars, by affiliating with  Graphic Communications Local 432M that later affiliated with the Teamsters.  Although each client decides whether to utilize our Union Bug #8, our goals were much more lofty:  We wanted to offer decent wages, a clean working environment and sundry benefits such as a health plan, term life insurance and a pension plan for Team Members.  Union Bug #8 is a copyright issued by Allied Printing Trades Council of California, subject to the conditions laid down in our Union contract.  The following information describes specific conditions of this Bug. 

Printing Union Labels-Dos and Don'ts*

Can a Nonunion Printer Print The Union Label?

No!  The unions control the label or "bug" and they have full rights to it.  According to PIA/GATF HR Director Jim Kyger, "Using the union label means that all operations in the production of the goods bearing the label were made by a specific union or several unions affiliated with a trade council such as Allied Printing Trades Council.  This goes from pre-press through post-press.  Is is quite clear that unions have the legal right to control both who can use its label and the circumstances under which the label can be used.  A printer who manipulated, printed or bound the union label without authorization can be liable and be forced to pay damages of triple profits and possibly attorney's fees."

If a customer requests that you print the union bug and you are a union-free shop, then you may well find yourself in a potentially precarious position and may be subject to litigation.  In other words:  DON'T DO IT.   You should refuse the job or farm it out to a unionized printer who is authorized to print the union label.

Reprinted with permission of "Printing Industries of America/Graphics Arts Technical Foundation"

Copyright @2005 OUA/GAFT