Decisive ballots showed green light for the merger of industrial unions

(Helsinki 20.02.2009 - Juhani Artto) Promoters and supporters of the merger of six industrial unions could sigh of relief on Thursday evening. The ballots in two major unions ended in favour of the merger.

In the Metalworkers' Union 55.6 per cent of the members, participating in the ballot, showed green light for the merger. In the Chemical Workers' Union 62.1 per cent voted for the merger. The participation rates were decent, 26.5 per cent in the Metalworkers' Union and 29.5 per in the Chemical Workers' Union.

The two unions are the largest ones of the six unions. Their rank and file members sum up almost two thirds of the planned 330,000 rank and file super-union. Earlier the delegations of the Media Union (graphical workers) and the Wood and Allied Workers' Union have positioned clearly in favour of the merger.

The Railway Workers' Union may organise a ballot on the issue and the Electrical Workers' Union will make its final decision within the next few months.

Finland's largest union is due to officially begin its work 1 January 2010.