Page 62 - Print 21 Magazine Jul-Aug 2020

Association News
News updates from the printing industry
Wins in a time of Covid
Covid-19 has seen printers turn to the PVCA for all kinds of support; at the same time PVCA is scoring wins through its industry campaign to have taxpayer-funded print on Australian presses.
Covid-19 has affected all Australians profoundly, and your association has not been immune from
this. Resources have been re- allocated to support members as the PVCA team has provided industrial relations advice at an unprecedented volume. Members have the advantage of having full access to the best and most complete industrial service offered by an industrial association in Australia, with complete advisory service from hiring through to separation.
The volume of calls taken
by PVCA IR hotline has been running at three times normal levels, yet response times
have remained on target, and resolution of the members issue is generally achieved within the single or return call. Feedback we have received is that this has given PVCA members
one element of certainty in a changing environment.
PVCA has also been running industry webinars, free for members, with subject matter experts in industrial relations, workplace health and safety,
IT security, and government assistance package structuring information in an engaging and interactive manner. Members have requested that these webinars continue, and PVCA is now preparing the next round of subjects and content.
Buy Australia
PVCA launched a “Buy Australia” campaign at the beginning of 2020 with an industry petition which received overwhelming support from industry. The survey segued into a lobbying campaign with state and federal government to focus government procurement on Australia first. As Covid-19 impacted Australia, the timeliness of this campaign became apparent.
Andrew Macaulay: CEO, PVCA
Australian printers lead
the world in industry self- accreditation through the Sustainable Green Print process, this being a direct response to government policies on waste, energy consumption, recycling, safe work practices and whole of life product stewardship. Our industry supports government in these policy ambitions, and government should reciprocate by not buying from markets that cut costs through unsafe work practices and damaging environmental behaviours.
Printed in Aus
We are pleased to see evidence that government is responding, and print procurement is returning to a domestic focus. PVCA has provided all of industry with a free to use suite of logos and brands stating “Proudly Printed in Australia” and there has been rapid take-up of this logo across our industry. If you do not have
a copy of the artwork, please email us at info@pvca.org.au Sustainable Green Print
(SGP) is an industry initiative that all in print and packaging can be proud of. It is a world leading standard, and is being considered as the model for use in the UK and US. The
credibility of the Australian visual communications industry is strengthened through this self-reliance
in achieving and measuring best standards. SGP will be expanded into some exciting new areas shortly, and PVCA will communicate with all members directly about this in coming weeks.
Social distancing did not
stop our industry celebrating excellence in production and creativity. PVCA innovated with virtual awards for both PICA and NPA, with extraordinary engagement from industry
with watch parties being held all over Australia on the two broadcast nights. Industry assembled and celebrated success. We expect that Print2Parliament! will be able to run as normal, but have a contingency plan in place if Covid-19 intervenes.
Awards viewers
More than 1200 individual “viewers” watched the PICA awards, and nearly 600 watched the NPAs. Most of these “viewers” were groups
of printers assembled at
private homes for barbecues and social events within the rules. We have been sent some lovely photos of these events, and applaud industry for the enthusiasm of engagement. Get your entries ready for 2021!
Sadly, mental health issues are on the rise due to isolation and stress caused by Covid-19. PVCA has established a mental- health line, and we encourage all industry to keep an eye
out for each other. If you have
a friend or colleague who is showing signs of anxiety or depression, it is good to ask, “are you OK?”. Please feel free to distribute the number 1800 847 266. The call is free. The call is confidential. The call goes directly to professionals who will listen and help.
Voice of industry
PVCA has been at the forefront of lobbying government on
our industry risks and issues, and the type of support that our industry needs. Your office bearers, as well as staff, have been engaged in this process. We have worked in conjunction with allied industry associations when appropriate, and we are confident that the voice of our industry is being heard. It is important that we stand together, as a unified voice gives clarity to policy makers.
Skills training and finance for skills training will be part of the path out of economic downturn. The voice of our industry has been heard on this front, and our president Walter Kuhn has been particularly active in prosecuting the argument for support for youth and training.
JobKeeper has been a central focus of PVCA lobbying. We have worked directly with policy advisors and minsters,
as well as in alignment with the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry to get the voice of print heard. We expect extension of JobKeeper, but likely on restricted terms.
The 2019 Annual Report has been circulated to members. Your association, the voice
of our industry, is in a strong position after many years of restructure and re-focus.
PVCA has refreshed our industry representation on the Media Super board with the appointment of Peter Clark. Government and regulators are seeking greater accountability from these boards.
I conclude this report
with the happy duty of congratulating all PICA and NPA medal winners, and a warm salute to Peter Clark and Kirsten Taylor, who respectively were recognised for lifetime achievement, and woman of print. Well done. 21
62 Print21 JULY/AUGUST 2020
L
A
U
S
I
C
O
M
V
M
U
N
&
I
C
T
A
T
N
I
I
O
R
N
P
A
A
S
I
L
S
A
O
R
C
T
S
I
U
A
A
T
I
O
N
Voice of our Industry