IP is the latest company to see this development with global union networks already mobilised at Jefferson Smurfit and SCA.

The network was established at a conference co-sponsored by Paper Allied Industrial Chemical and Energy Workers (PACE) and the 20m-member International Federation of Chenical Energy Mine and General Workers Union (ICEM).

A spokesman for ICEM said that co-operation was useful as he claimed that unions in different countries were "played off" against one another.

Twenty-one unions in 11 countries on five continents created the network, which will see unions share information on wages, working conditions, health and safety and other issues.

The network will also support participating unions that need assistance. Workers at IPs New Jersey cosmetics packaging plants have already received help.

"IP crosses national borders in search of the highest profits, and the unions present here have resolved to match that corporate globalisation with a globalisation of workers solidarity," said the spokesman.

IP, which employs 100,000 people in 22 countries and has sales in excess of 18bn, said it welcomed the opportunity to engage in dialogue with the network.

Story by Adam Leyland