ISTC and KFAT agree to merge

The executive bodies of the Iron and Steel Trades Confederation (ISTC) and the National Union of Knitwear, Footwear and Apparel Trades (KFAT) have voted unanimously in favour of recommending a merger between the unions to their members.

Commenting on the proposed merger, Michael Leahy, general secretary of ISTC, said: "Steel communities and knitwear and footwear communities have faced similar problems as a result of the industries on which they were founded reducing employment opportunities - and, in some cases, closing completely - in consequence of technological changes and competition from developing countries."

The ISTC represents thousands of workers at steel plants in Rotherham and Sheffield in South Yorkshire, and Scunthorpe in North Lincolnshire. It also has members at Corus plants at Port Talbot and Trostre in west Wales, at Llanwern in south Wales, and Shotton, Flintshire, in north Wales.

If approved, the new union will have a membership of 45,000.

A draft Interim Rule Book to cover the merged union has been agreed by both parties and is being considered by the government's certification officer. Following receipt of his approval of the Rule Book, balloting of each union's members will commence as soon as possible.