TGWU and Amicus begin merger talks

The Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU) and Amicus have announced their intentions to begin talks on a possible merger.

If the two unions were to merge, it would form the largest trade union in the private sector, with over 2.5 million members and a dominant industrial presence in many key sectors of the economy. A third union, the GMB, has also been invited to join the merger talks.

TGWU, general secretary, Tony Woodley, said: "This is an historic opportunity for trade unionism to seize the industrial agenda of the twenty-first century and to win for today's workers on pay and conditions."

Mr Woodley said that he hoped that the GMB would be able to participate in talks immediately, but said if they could not, talks would proceed with Amicus anyway.

Amicus General Secretary Derek Simpson said that the proposed new union would be a "major force in society". He said: "A union with this level of influence has the potential to make a difference to the lives of every working person in the United Kingdom. Today, we have taken a giant step forward in shaping the future for working people."

The GMB General Secretary confirmed that he had received letters from both Mr Woodley and Mr Simpson inviting the GMB to participate in merger talks, but said that any participation was up to the GMB Central Executive Council to decide. He said: "It is clear that the current talks involving Amicus and the Transport and General Workers Union potentially represents a hugely significant step for trade unionism in this country. The potential benefits to trade union members and all working people are enormous. A campaigning, inclusive, fighting union of 2.5 million members with unprecedented financial, political and organisational resources could give working people in Britain a strong voice in the workplace and beyond."

(KMcA/SP)