Union mergers

Mergers of unions and the case for cross-union unity

RMT and TSSA to Merge?

A chance is presenting itself for a stronger trade union movement in the transport industry, with a possible RMT/TSSA merger.

This is a positive step. RMT has 80,000 members and TSSA 30,000. If we could one day also get ASLEF to join us in creating a single union, we could virtually write our own...

RMT and TSSA to Merge?

An opportunity is presenting itself for a stronger trade union movement in the transport industry to become a reality.

Rumours have been spreading for sometime now of a possible merger between the National Union for Rail, Maritime and Transport workers (RMT) and the Transport Salaried Staffs’...

OILC ‘closer’ to RMT merger

The Offshore Industry Liaison Committee, the union for offshore rig workers, is one step closer to merging with the RMT union after the OILC executive voted to back the merger. The OILC, formed by offshore workers after the Piper Alpha disaster in 1988, has always been denied TUC affiliation because Amicus and its forerunners, have insisted on that claim to representing offshore workers. A merger with the RMT is appropriate and in the best interests of RMT and OILC members, which is why we urge a yes vote at the OILC’s conference in October.

Case for a no vote

The question on Jim Denham’s voting paper, and on mine, in the recent TGWU-Amicus ballot, was “do you approve the Instrument of Amalgamation?”, not “are you, in general, in favour of a merger of TGWU and Amicus?” I favoured voting no because I do not approve the Instrument of Amalgamation. Jim does not approve the Instrument, either. He believes that “the creation of a rank-and-file controlled accountable industrial structure must be our central task”. The scheme outlined by the Instrument of Amalgamation is anything but. So, if anyone is taking a paradoxical, contrary-to-common-sense view...

Industrial news: post, TGWU-Amicus merger, ESOL cuts, London buses, JJB

Defend Mark O’Reilly STOP press: North/ Northwest London CWU branch has perpetrated a bureaucratic stitch-up against Mark O’Reilly, a postal worker at Finsbury Park depot. Mark decided to challenge the incumbent union rep who has colluded with management over job cuts for over two years. Mark distributed a leaflet to workmates that referred to high work levels over the last Xmas period and demanded to know what the rep had done to alleviate the burden on staff. The branch then told Mark that he was banned from standing as he had contravened rules against canvassing, and the current rep would...

Debate: Amicus-TGWU merger: the creation of a fighting union?

Debate: Amicus-TGWU merger: the creation of a fighting union? Early in 2007, members of the TGWU and Amicus will ballot on proposed terms for a merger. The TGWU has approved the terms at a special delegate conference on 19 December 2006, and Amicus, in a postal ballot of its Executive. TGWU members of the Alliance for Workers’ Liberty believe we should vote in favour of that merger, a decision endorsed by the AWL’s national committee. Some comrades remained unconvinced and therefore we will continue to debate the terms of the merger. Below Peter Baker argues the case for the merger and Martin...

Vote against merger

The GMB’s congress has voted overwhelmingly against merger with the TGWU and Amicus to form a new “super union”. Public arguments focused on the loss of the GMB’s independence and political and industrial tradition, as well as the fact that there is no pressing financial need for merger. But there are reports from the conference that the private arguments among delegations, in the bars etc focused more on job losses and changes in conditions for union officials and reps. See next issue of Solidarity for more..

Merger

By a TGWU member The TGWU Broad Left met on 2 April and discussed the proposed “super-union” amalgamation between the TGWU, AMICUS and the GMB. Unfortunately the discussion was not very satisfactory, with several people arguing almost that the rule book / structure doesn’t matter, so long as the left is in control.Others were arguing that there should be no ballot on the merger without a finalised rule-book in place. This, it was argued by others, would, in practice, make the merger of the three unions impossible as the “window of opportunity” would only last for so long. The way forward is...

Amicus - Purge shows up dangers with merger

By an AMICUS member While the TGWU has started a process of consultation on the creation of a new super union, developments in the other two unions (AMICUS and GMB) could well undermine the project. AMICUS is in the middle of a major witch hunt that threatens its already weak democracy. Three officials of the union have been issued with dismissal notices. Des Heemskerk, Jimmy Warne and Cathy Willis. The charges are unclear, but it appears they are accused of being involved in a “plot” to oust General Secretary Derek Simpson. The bitter irony is, all three played an important role in helping to...

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