IPMS and EMA to merge

A new union with over 100,000 professional members will start work on 1 November as the IPMS civil service specialists union merges with the Engineers and Managers Association (EMA).

Ninety per cent of the EMA's 29,000-strong membership voted in favour of the merger last month as did 85% of the 75,000-strong IPMS. The new union will be called Prospect.

EMA general secretary Tony Cooper said Prospect would be "fresh and exciting", while IPMS leader Paul Noon said: "Prospect will also appeal to professionals and specialists in all areas of the economy who are not in a trade union".