ALGUS joins CWU

Another, smaller union merger was agreed last month, when members of the 2,500-strong Alliance & Leicester Group Union of Staff (ALGUS) voted to join the CWU communications union.

The vote was overwhelming, with 95% of ALGUS members voting in favour of merging, in the wake of the union's derecognition by its only employer - the Alliance and Leicester Bank. The CWU also has members at the bank, and has kept union recognition there.

Welcoming the result of the ballot, CWU general secretary Billy Hayes said: "Forming a single and united organisation in the bank will be of benefit both to ALGUS and CWU members." ALGUS members are expected to transfer to the CWU this month, where they will form a new branch within the union.