date: 13 December 1999
embargo: 00.01 hrs Thursday 16 December 1999
Attention: picture and news editors
2 pages
John Monks visits Bulmers and Xerox
TUC General Secretary, John Monks will see trade union and employer partnership in action when he visits Bulmers and Xerox in Hereford and the Forest of Dean today (Thursday).
As part of a nationwide tour, John Monks is visiting employers who adopt a positive approach to industrial relations - both Bulmers and Xerox have partnership agreements with trade unions.
At Bulmers, who have a partnership agreement with the Transport and General Workers Union and who have worked with trade unions for over 25 years, John Monks will see the new learning centre in action. The learning centre offers a wide range of courses for employees and their families - from basic numeracy and literacy skills to learning a language. He will also do a tour of the Hereford site where the cider is made.
John will then travel to Mitcheldean, Gloucestershire to meet workers and employers at digital printer and copier manufacturers, Xerox, who have a partnership arrangement with the AEEU, GMB and MSF.
John Monks said: "The TUC has long argued that partnership is the best way to work towards a successful enterprise with motivated employees. This visit gives me another chance to see partnership in action and to see how staff are benefiting from exciting new opportunities created through learning at work."
Rob Garner, Personnel Director at Bulmers Cider said: "Together the company and union have developed a culture of lifelong learning amongst the workforce at Bulmers - a direct result of our successful working partnership. We are particularly delighted that John Monks has chosen Bulmers as one of the companies to visit and see for himself what has been achieved."
Robin Fyffe, European Resource Manager at Xerox said: "We have a tradition of working closely and successfully with the trade unions here at Mitcheldean. We welcome this opportunity to discuss the global challenges facing our business with John Monks and the local trade union reps."
Photo opportunities
There will be a photocall with John Monks and representatives from Bulmers Cider at 10am in the Bulmer Learning Centre, Bulmer Head Office, Plough Lane, Hereford. Contact: George Thomas 01452 352000 ext 2417
John Monks and representatives from Xerox will be available for a photo opportunity at 2pm. Photographers should meet at Xerox main reception, Xerox Business Park, Mitcheldean. Contact: Ewart Woolley 01594 542421
Notes to Editors:
All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk
Contacts:
Media enquiries: Stephanie Power 020 7467 1310 or Liz Chinchen on 020 7467 1248 or 01399 744115 (pager)
Other enquiries: Bulmers George Thomas 01432 352000, Xerox Ewart Woolley 01594 542421
Press release (500 words) issued 16 Dec 1999
