How do you support printers during this period compliquée??
Gilles Mure-Ravaud - Since the beginning of the health crisis, GMI staff have been in direct contact with members. We keep abreast of all measures and the latest trends, which we communicate to them in real time via our various communication channels (newsletter, website, etc.). We are in high demand and spend a lot of time on the phone to listen and advise.
There is also important work being done at the level of the 9-person Board of Directors. Every month, we have a videoconference where we deal with all the subjects, for example lobbying the government so that it can better consider the graphic industry. We have written to the President of the Republic, as well as to other political figures. We are in contact with many organizations and associations such as Copacel, CCFI, the National Book Union, Culture Papier, etc.
The IMG Congress, which was scheduled for November 5, 2020, was finally postponed to March 30, 2021. The Congress was initially intended to deal with concrete cases encountered by members during the Covid-19 health crisis, with plans to revive activity, with opportunities to be seized, or with the strengthening of development projects. We are taking advantage of this postponement to further enrich the programme and are preparing the intervention of one or more leading political figures.
Printers sometimes feel that they are an industry neglected by the government, how do you explain it-vous??
We have to sweep up in front of our door. At the level of the entire graphic arts chain (paper, printing, machine manufacturers, etc.), we are poor communicators. We have to go out and meet the politicians. And that's what I'm going to do starting in the month of octobre?; take my pilgrim's staff and go knock on doors with a good argument. Not alone of course, we are in contact with many organizations.
How representative is GMI? today?
The most present employers' union is undoubtedly Uniic. As far as the GMI is concerned, based on the number of companies, we have almost 200 members who are up to date with their subscriptions. Our members are mainly small and medium-sized companies, but we do have a few large groups that have joined us in recent years, such as Estimprim and CPI.
We have three permanent staff members who do a remarkable job, particularly in the area of legal support for companies. Each director has a project to develop. I myself travel half a day a week to help my troops.
Were any training actions taken during the crisis sanitaire??
Before the confinement, we started a partnership with Asfored, a training centre for the publishing, press and communication professions. We set up devices so that the members of the GMI could benefit from videoconferences, webinars and training during the coronavirus crisis.
We have also set up a network with other schools (Grafipolis, Académie Brassart-Delcourt, Bureau des élèves d'Estienne, les Gobelins, Eurasiam, Asfored).
An event will allow us to federate all these centers of formation?; it is the Chérizy Manga BD exhibition which will be held on October 17 and 18, 2020 near Dreux in the Eure-et-Loire (28). The schools will present their training and explain to visitors all the subtleties of our profession.
