The proposed Special General Meeting by disaffected PIAA members aiming for a vote of no confidence in the board has been delayed by up to 14 days.
The postponement of the SGM is to enable the Board to respond to the latest developments in the PIAA. However the members warn that if there is no progress they will resume with the submission.
Spokesperson Simon Rowbottom says, “It is our wish that these discussions will bear positive fruit for the good of our entire industry, its employers and employees. Should this not be the case, the request for a SGM will resume currency.”
Rowbottom told ProPrint the positive fruit mentioned in the statement means the ‘inclusion, involvement and consultation’ of industry members, and an active discussion without the need for an SGM.
If it takes place, which now looks less likely, the SGM would be the first in the 170 history of the PIAA.
Rowbottom asserts at this stage the SGM is still ‘in discussion’, but says the latest development including the resignation of president David Leach means it is ‘not an ideal situation’ to ‘enforce’ a SGM on the PIAA board.
[Related: SGM up in the air]
Rowbottom says the main reason for the deferral is to minimise the damage to the PIAA, and hopes the issues can be resolved without a SGM taking place.
A statement from the members says, “Subsequent to developments in the past 48 hours, such as the resignation of the Board’s President, it is apparent that the Board of Printing Industries is once again listening to members’ voices.
“On behalf of the members requesting that the Association convene as SGM, it pleases me to announce that the submission of the SGM Request is now deferred for a further period of 14 days, to enable discussions to take place and vacant Board positions to be filled so as to ensure strong and representative leadership for the industry’s peak body.
“It is our wish that these discussions will bear positive fruit for the good of our entire industry, its employers and employees. Should this not be the case, the request for an SGM will resume currency.
As an industry member Rowbottom voiced his own personal concern over the lack of commitment and communication the peak industry body has offered. “There has been very little communication between the PIAA and members, and the members have been far from included,” he says.
The disaffected members secured the more than 50 signatories necessary for to call for the meeting. The majority are from Queensland, angry about the sacking of two of PIAA staff members there and the lack of representation on the Board since Susan Heaney’s resignation in December.
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