U.S., British unions to explore merger |
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Wed, 18 Apr 2007 19:25
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PITTSBURGH (AP) - U.S. and British trade unions agreed Wednesday to work toward a merger that would establish the first trans-Atlantic labor organization and pave the way for a larger entity to represent workers worldwide.The Pittsburgh-based United Steelworkers union and two British unions -- Amicus and the Transport and General Workers' Union -- are expected to begin talks in June and could merge within one year, said USW President Leo W. Gerard.'As corporations globalize and global capital flexes its muscles, we have to build a counter-force,' he said in a conference call with reporters from a Steelworkers meeting in Canada.The USW is North America's largest industrial union, with 850,000 members in the United States and Canada.Amicus, which has about 980,000 active members, and the Transport and General Workers' Union, which has nearly 800,000, are expected to complete a separate merger next month.The Steelworkers would then join with the combined British unions.Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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UK, US unions to sign accord today on potential merger 