Unions in merger talks to create new super union

Talks are under way to create a super union based on a merger of the Transport and General Workers Union and Amicus, and possibly also including GMB.

The new union would comprise some 2.5 million members, and would be the largest private sector union, as well as having a considerable presence in public services.

T&G general secretary Tony Woodley described the proposed merger as 'an historic opportunity for trade unionism to seize the industrial agenda of the twenty-first century, and to . . . put behind us pointless inter-union competition and focus on fighting for our members in the workplace as one powerful union'.

Both the T&G and Amicus haved agreed to participate in the merger discussions. However, the GMB's central executive council has yet to decide whether to take part.

  • 'Super union' gets green light as merger talks begin   Mike Berry reports, from Personnel Today.

  • T&G, Amicus
    • and GMB    Read the relevant press releases from the T&G, Amicus and the GMB, as published on their respective websites.

    Also

    Unions face extinction unless they evolve, says Work Foundation    Michael Millar reports, from personneltoday.com.

    Unions at a crossroads   HR & Compliance Centre presents links to a selection of recent articles on UK trade unions, including coverage of the 2004 Trades Union Congress.

    Union membership stable    HR & Compliance Centre reports on the key findings of research from the Department of Trade and Industry.

    Trade union recognition: the basics and The consequences of recognition   From HR & Compliance Centre's employment law reference manual.

    How to work with trade unions and employee representatives   Practical guidance from HR & Compliance Centre's How to service.