ABSTRACT
The impetus to the first important agreements was the technical revolution brought about by the introduction of Linotype and Monotype machines. The development of collective agreements depends upon the stability and extensiveness of organizations on both sides. In this period the rapid growth of unionism among the hitherto unorganized sections of the workers, and the building up of a nation-wide network of master printer associations, culminating in the two opposing national federations, facilitated the new method of settling terms of employment. In 1912 leading officials of the printing unions and masters’ organizations gave evidence before the inquiry of the Industrial Council into the working of the system of voluntary collective agreements, with the idea of considering whether it could be extended or improved. Most of the witnesses from the printing industry professed to be satisfied with the existing procedure.
