Giant merger brought a step closer

Three union industry federations covering different areas of manufacturing in Europe are taking steps to merge their activity and become a single organisation.

The EMF (metalworking and engineering), EMCEF (chemicals, energy and mining) and ETUF-TCL (textiles, clothing and leather) federations have been in discussions on closer working for almost a year. The three now appear to be on track for a full merger.

The issue is on the agenda of EMF’s regular congress later this month and was discussed at a special EMCEF conference last month. Michael Vassiliadis, EMCEF’s newly elected president, said: “We want and need to combine our forces to respond to the major social, political, economic and environmental challenges.”

European industry federations, like the three planning to merge, bring together unions in the same industry across Europe. They are also affiliated in their own right to the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC).

They play an important role in supporting European works councils, as well as being able to negotiate with employers at European level. For example, EMCEF has recently reached an agreement with European chemical employers over training.

The discussions at European level, which are expected to result in a merger towards the middle of next year, are paralleled by similar talks at global level, where the three international union federations are also considering merger.