Steel and clothing unions set to merge

The 45,000 members of the ISTC steel and community union and the KFAT garment union will be voting on merger of their two unions within the next couple months.

The unions' executives have both voted unanimously to recommend a merger, and a draft interim rule book is currently being discussed with the certification officer.

The main industries covered by the two unions and their members - steel and clothing and footwear - have faced huge job losses over the last 20 years because of technological changes and competition from developing countries. Even 10 years ago the unions had a total membership of 112,000.

If the amalgamation goes ahead, the new union would aim to "play its part in revitalising these communities," according to a joint statement.

Its mission would be "supporting working people throughout their working lives." This would not just be in the workplace, but also "whilst seeking work and through education, training and career development programmes."

Both unions are advocates of partnership-type relations with employers, but are not, they say, "afraid of supporting our members in the face of adversarial employers." Both are affiliated to the Labour Party.

The ISTC last month gained recognition for 700 shop floor workers at Doncaster-based Polypipe Building Products. It was the union's second largest recognition deal under the statutory procedure. It ran a joint campaign with Amicus, which won recognition for 60 craft workers on site.