Quebecor workers campaign for justice
MONTREAL—Quebecor and Quebecor World workers plan to escalate pressure on the company regarding employees’ rights at the Montreal location as part of a global campaign called Justice@Quebecor. The campaign was recently launched in the U.S. to win an agreement on labour standards from the company, which has operations in 17 countries. Labour leaders say Quebecor World has violated the rights of its employees when workers have tried to form a union and has previously ignored requests from international labour leaders to discuss a global agreement. A global agreement on labour standards would ensure that the company act in accordance with International Labour Organization’s conventions, including the right to form unions and engage in collective bargaining. Justice@Quebecor has the support of the Canadian Labour Congress and the campaign launch was held under the guidance of the Graphic Communications International Union (GCIU). Tony Ross, a spokesman from Quebecor World in Montreal says that the company adheres to all labour laws and respects workers’ rights to organize or not to organize.
Torstar purchases digital printing company
OAKVILLE, Ont.—In a deal worth approximately $6 million, Torstar Corp. has purchased J.H. Robinson Publishing and sister company Silva Litho Solutions, a full-service digital printer also based here. The companies will be operated by Torstar’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Metroland Printing, Publishing & Distributing Ltd. The deal augments Torstar's dominant presence in southern Ontario, where it publishes The Toronto Star, The Hamilton Spectator, The Record (Kitchener/Waterloo), The Guelph Mercury, Metro Today and Sing Tao as well as the altweekly eye magazine and more than 60 community newspapers through its Metroland division.
December 5, 2003
T-bird Press buys Jeffery Printing
RICHMOND, B.C.—Thunderbird Press, a Richmond-based commercial sheetfed offset printer, has bought family-run Jeffery Printing, effective January 1, 2004. Jeffery Printing’s revenues are approximately $1 million per year. Out of the company’s nine employees, six are expected to move over to the Thunderbird location. Thunderbird expects that along with a recent installation of Fuji’s Celebrant Extreme digital workflow, the addition of Jeffery Printing will strengthen its client base.
Moore Wallace closes shop in the ‘Peg
WINNIPEG—Moore Wallace has announced that its Winnipeg printing plant will close as of December 12. More than 30 workers will lose their jobs. The plant has been in Winnipeg for more than 80 years. The shut-down comes after last month’s announcement that Moore Wallace will be bought by Chicago-based R.R. Donnelly—a possible preview of what is expected to come after the cuts are finalized.
December 2, 2003
The Graphicshoppe files for bankruptcy
ETOBICOKE, ON—After a year of ups and downs, The Graphicshoppe has filed for bankruptcy. In March, PrintCan reported that the company was on its way to recovery after filing for creditor protection and calling in a trustee to help restructure. Creditors accepted the proposals and the company was prepared to pay off its $3 million debt to creditors over five years. Now the company has slipped into receivership once again as a result of what sources say was a missed payment. The Graphicshoppe owes more than $7 million with total assets reported to be barely more than $2 million. The creditor, Shiner Zweig Inc., has advertised sale of the company in the Globe and Mail. Offers are due this Friday. Stay tuned to PrintCan for a follow-up story.
Domtar’s Vancouver mill on strike
VANCOUVER, B.C.—Domtar’s Vancouver paper mill has gone on strike. More than 150 union workers are off the job. The strike is due to a disagreement in head office’s pattern bargaining process relating to the kinds of paper produced at the mill. Domtar aims to get a separate deal based on its specific needs. The workers will vote on December 2. In the meantime, the plant is not producing and provisions have been made to cover the customer base for about two weeks.
Rhino cleans up at international awards
VANCOUVER, B.C.—Rhino Print Solutions recently took home 10 trophies from the International Gallery of Superb Printing awards run by the International Association of Printing House Craftsmen. One of the winning pieces, a 13-colour project printed in stochastic high definition FM screening, won a Best of the Best award for Best in Colour. The competition drew more than 3,000 entries from more than 1,300 printers from Australia, China, Italy, Germany, New Zealand and North America.
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