05-26-2008, 11:18 PM
'Merger deal with America's United Steelworkers finalised'
London (AP): Britain's largest union said today it has finalised the details of a planned merger with America's United Steelworkers that would create the first trans-Atlantic labour organisation.
UNITE, which represents more than 2 million workers in the transport, energy and public sectors, among others, is set to join United Steelworkers, which has some 850,000 members in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean.
UNITE spokesman Andrew Murray said "the finishing touches" were worked out at a meeting between UNITE and Steelworkers representatives last week.
The unions have joined forces because both have been left behind by globalisation, Murray said.
"We're dealing with global companies that can move capital - and employment - around the world, at will in many cases," he said. "While big business is global, and labour is national, we're going to be at a disadvantage."
Murray said the new super-union's structure was still being worked on. He said its two component parts would maintain their separate identities, at least at first. He added that the new grouping hoped to enlist other foreign unions.
"There's a number of legal complexities," he said. "This is only very much a first step."
Murray said an official announcement would be made at the Steelworkers' Constitutional Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, beginning in June.
London (AP): Britain's largest union said today it has finalised the details of a planned merger with America's United Steelworkers that would create the first trans-Atlantic labour organisation.
UNITE, which represents more than 2 million workers in the transport, energy and public sectors, among others, is set to join United Steelworkers, which has some 850,000 members in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean.
UNITE spokesman Andrew Murray said "the finishing touches" were worked out at a meeting between UNITE and Steelworkers representatives last week.
The unions have joined forces because both have been left behind by globalisation, Murray said.
"We're dealing with global companies that can move capital - and employment - around the world, at will in many cases," he said. "While big business is global, and labour is national, we're going to be at a disadvantage."
Murray said the new super-union's structure was still being worked on. He said its two component parts would maintain their separate identities, at least at first. He added that the new grouping hoped to enlist other foreign unions.
"There's a number of legal complexities," he said. "This is only very much a first step."
Murray said an official announcement would be made at the Steelworkers' Constitutional Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, beginning in June.