MSF gets merger go ahead

Delegates at a special recall conference of manufacturing, science and finance union MSF have given the green light to the union's plan to merge with engineering union AEEU.

The conference was called last month after the May annual delegate conference gave only qualified approval to the merger document. In particular delegates wanted to ensure that the annual conference of the new union would be supreme.

The recall conference agreed on a hand vote that the revised draft instrument of amalgamation should be put to a ballot of all members. This followed a consultative poll of members seeking their views on the aims and structure of the planned new union in October.

MSF general secretary Roger Lyons welcomed the result saying that "the 50/50 parity democratic structure negotiated with the AEEU will ensure the unique experience and culture of MSF will play a full part in the new union."