Britain & Ireland: The planned creation of a new "super union" with over two million members in Britain and Ireland suffered a setback yesterday when one of the three unions involved decided not to go ahead.
The GMB will not now continue talks aimed at merging with Amicus and the Transport and General Workers Union (known in Ireland as the ATGWU).
Delegates at the GMB's annual conference in Blackpool voted overwhelmingly against the merger following disquiet among members. The GMB has a different structure from the other two unions and there were fears that its strong regional set-up would suffer if it linked up with Amicus and the TGWU.
Amicus and the TGWU said in a joint statement they were disappointed with the decision and said they regarded it as a "missed opportunity" for the GMB.
"The T&G and Amicus will now proceed with our planned creation of a new union to meet the great challenges facing people in the 21st century."
A link-up between the two, rather than three, unions will now mean a joint membership of around 1.9 million members which would still be the biggest in the UK and Ireland. - (PA)