date: 21 March 2000

embargo: 00.01hrs Thursday 23 March 2000

Attention: Picture and News Editors

2 pages

John Monks to see partnership in action in Strathclyde

TUC General Secretary John Monks will see partnership working between union and employer when he visits Playtex and Pilkington Optronics in Strathclyde today (Thursday).

As part of a nationwide tour, John Monks is visiting employers who adopt a positive approach to industrial relations - both Playtex and Pilkington Optronics have had union recognition agreements since the 1970s.

Playtex have had a union agreement with the GMB for over 20 years. And over the last decade the unions and employer have developed a partnership approach. Part of this new approach includes the introduction of group working - which has increased efficiency and which enables groups of workers to make decisions about how they work.

The joint union agreement with the AEEU, MSF and TGWU at optical-electro manufacturers Pilkington Optronics has seen the establishment of flexible working and family-friendly policies including enhanced maternity pay and the extension of paid leave for new fathers.

Marion Daly, Human Resources Manager at Playtex said: "Our business has faced many challenges over the last ten years and will, I am sure, have many more over the coming months and years. By working in partnership with the GMB both at local and regional level we are able to jointly overcome problems and work towards a continuously improving operation."

Tom O'Neill, Chief Executive Officer at Pilkington Optronics said: "Pilkington Optronics believes strongly in a culture of partnership working. Since moving to a purpose-built site in the early 90s, we have worked hard to develop an open, co-operative culture with the workforce - a policy that has enabled the company to maintain its position as one of the leading optronics manufacturers in the world."

TUC General Secretary John Monks said: "The TUC has long argued that union-employer partnership is the best way to work towards a successful enterprise with motivated employees. These visits give me another chance to see partnership in action and to see how staff are benefiting from these new deals."

Later in the day, John Monks will also meet union officials at the Govan shipyard which is currently waiting to hear whether or not it has won a major contract from the Ministry of Defence.

Photo opportunities

John Monks; Plant Director, Mary Ray; and Human Resources Manager, Marion Daly; will be available for a photo opportunity on the Playtex shop floor at 11.45am. Photographers should meet in the main reception, Playtex Park, Industrial Estate, Port Glasgow. at 11.30.

John Monks and Pilkington Optronics' Chief Executive, Tom O'Neill will be available for a photo opportunity at 3.30pm on the shop floor. Pilkington Optronics, 1 Linthouse Road, Govan, Glasgow

Notes to Editors:

All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk

Contacts:

Media enquiries: Stephanie Power 020 7467 1310 pager 01426 317903 or Liz Chinchen on 020 7467 1248 or 01399 744115 (pager)

Press release (500 words) issued 23 Mar 2000