He led negotiations with print, papermaking and packaging employers for the modernisation of national collective agreements, the use of new technologies, skills, retraining and apprenticeships.
In 2004, the GPMU merged into Amicus, and Burke was appointed as one of its assistant general secretaries, leading its Graphical, Paper and Media Sector.
[6] Amicus, in turn, became part of Unite, with Burke retaining his post as assistant general secretary, and taking responsibility for and coordinating and overseeing Unite's manufacturing sectors including autos, aerospace, shipbuilding, general and electrical engineering and manufacturing, steel, graphical, paper, media and IT, chemicals, pharma, textiles, rubber, glass and oil including offshore rigs and exploration and undertook international work within the union.
He also helped produce a biography (published by Unite) of print trade unionist and activist Betty Tebbs and with leading union shop stewards Unite's strategy for manufacturing in the UK and the case for remaining a member of the European Union.
[9] and is involved in the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Labour & Palestine, trade union solidarity campaigns with Latin American counties, Media North, History & Policy Network and the Labour Party currently serving as Trade Union officer in his CLP.