MSF proceeds with AEEU merger plan

The manufacturing, science and finance union MSF is to press ahead with merger plans with the AEEU electrical and engineering union after a vote at its annual conference last month. The merger, which would create a union of over a million members, is planned for 1 January next year.

However, delegates insisted on a number of safeguards in the merger which were not set out in the draft instrument of amalgamation which was put to conference. This includes the condition that an annual conference should have primacy in decision making in the new union.

MSF head office was unclear whether the motion meant another conference would have to take place before members could be balloted but says a recall conference is likely. The NEC will consider the position this month but expects the ballot to go ahead in autumn this year as planned.