GPMU Votes For Talks On Amicus Merger

GPMU members have decided, as a result of a consultative ballot announced that the union's executive council should open formal merger discussions with the skills and manufacturing union, Amicus.

GPMU members have decided, as a result of a consultative ballot announced that the union's executive council should open formal merger discussions with the skills and manufacturing union, Amicus.

The executive council and leadership had recommended that a merger with Amicus would be in the best interests of GPMU members, their chapels and branches.

Further, that it would also benefit the industries in which GPMU members work and manufacturing in general.

The ballot gave members the choice of whether the GPMU should seek formal merger discussions with Amicus or the Transport and General Workers Union.

It resulted in 26,976 members voting for Amicus and 9,803 in favour of the T and GWU in a high turnout of 38.27% of the GPMU membership in a postal ballot.

The decision was also supported in 25 of the GPMU's 27 branches.

Commenting on the result, Tony Dubbins, GPMU general secretary, said: "I am absolutely delighted that GPMU members have expressed their confidence in their Executive Council and the leadership of this union in such a clear-cut way.

It now gives us the opportunity with Amicus to build a first-class, modern union for the twenty-first century that will continue to represent those members' needs." In thanking all the members, chapels and branches that had endorsed the executive council's recommendation, Dubbins said: "We are convinced that the issues which bind GPMU and Amicus members together, including organisation and recruitment, learning and skills, employment rights at work, European issues and our political work, will be strengthened by this decision.".

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