Industrial ‘super union’ plans gather momentum

Plans for the creation of a new “super union” through a merger of Amicus, the GMB, and the TGWU are expected to see the establishment of a combined construction section of 120,000 members, rivalling the current strength of UCATT.

Bob Blackman, TGWU national construction secretary, is being strongly tipped as the man most likely to lead the section.

Industry leaders are sounding increasingly confident that the tie-up will go ahead – probably within the next two years.

The TGWU has just launched the first stage of a consultation process with its members. A discussion document suggests the new union, comprising 2.5 million members, could be based on nine separate industrial sectors.

A construction and allied trades sector of about 120,000 members would be made up of:

■ 63,234 Amicus members.

■ 36,103 GMB members, including timber and furniture trades.

■ 17,261 TGWU members, plus some from the general workers trade group.

The super union is being promoted as a means to “win real improvements in pay and conditions”. It is expected to increase bargaining power, to influence the political agenda, and to “remove unnecessary competition in common work places”.

Significantly, one objective of the new union would still be “targeted mergers with other trade unions”. This clearly points to UCATT. Informal soundings have already taken place, but the UCATT leadership remains pledged to retaining its independence.