| Welcome to the Printers’ Collection |
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A message from Tony Burke Assistant General Secretary of Unite the Union “Welcome to the website of the Printer’s Collection showcased at the Marx Memorial Library in the historic heart of London’s printing industry. The Collection is made up of the records, memorabilia and historic artefacts of the printing trade unions of the UK and Ireland. The collection was donated by the Graphical, Paper and Media Sector of Unite, the largest union in the UK. The GPM sector was formed when the Graphical, Paper & Media Union merged with Amicus, now part of Unite. The GPMU itself could trace its history back through many small, local and craft unions and societies - back to the days of the introduction of printing to England by William Caxton. The Collection is part of the history of the printing and papermaking industries - but is unique as it focuses on workers and their trade unions. Already it has had an impact in the printing industry and it is growing with new additions and donations all the time. We particularly commend it to trade unionists, students, lecturers of print and media, todays apprentices as well as veteran print workers. All can view first hand, read and appreciate the rich history of the struggle for union rights for printers and paper workers and their struggle to organise, educate and protect their rights and customs and to establish and protect civil rights for all. It is a journey spanning hundreds of years and the Collection includes an amazing array of unique items as well as full collections of union journals and conference reports, which may be used as reference. Those of you who wish to view the Collection as individuals may do so by appointment with the Library. If student groups, workplace groups, union delegations, wish to visit we would ask you to contact Marx Memorial Library, 37a Clerkenwell Green, London. EC1R 0DU. Tel: 020 7253 1485. Let us know your intentions as it may be possible for us to supply trades unionists to accompany you on your visit to explain the Collection and answer your questions. A strong aspect of the Collection is the international role – of organisation and solidarity – displayed over decades by the print and papermaking trades unions of the UK and Ireland. Trade Unionists from abroad are therefore, especially welcome. It remains only for me to commend to you this unique Collection. I have no doubt that, having viewed its contents, you will emerge with a clearer view of the essentials of printing and paper making, understand the key role of each in the development of human knowledge and appreciate the great sacrifice of previous generations of print and paper workers who fought to establish rights for workers worldwide. Enjoy your visit.
Tony Burke Unite Assistant General SecretaryAdd this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites           |
| Last Updated on Thursday, 13 August 2009 10:57 |
There are a number of ways you can help to support us. You can donate online. You can join the Library as an individual member and get your union branch to affiliate. If you are a retired or working print worker and would like to volunteer to take groups around the Collection, you can apply here to join our panel of volunteers.
The Printers’ Collection was launched in February 2009 by Derek Simpson, joint general secretary of UNITE. To mark the opening a full-colour and richly illustrated 64-page brochure has been published. It is available here priced £5.
We are preparing an online book of memories of print workers. You may want to share with us your experience of being an apprentice, of your working life or activity as a trade unionist. If so, please write here and we will include all or parts of it in the forthcoming section.
Unite the union - graphical, paper and media section has kindly donated a substantial part of its collection of print ephemera, memorabilia and records in the Printers’ Collection. But some of our best and most surprising items have been donated by individuals or local union chapels and branches. If you have a print related item, which, you believe, would be of interest to others and you wish to donate it or simply loan it, to the Collection include a short description of it here.
