Metal and chemical workers vote on the amalgamation proposal to merge six industrial unions

(Helsinki 27.01.2009 - Juhani Artto) The two largest unions involved in the six industrial unions' amalgamation project (TEAM) will soon decide their respective positions towards the whole project. Rank and file members of the Chemical Workers' Union will vote on the issue from 5 to 19 February, in a vote which will be binding. And during the same time frame the Metalworkers' Union will hold a consultative referendum but its leaders have promised to honour the position of the majority.

The Media Union, the Wood and Allied Workers' Union and the Railway Workers' Union are clearly in favour of the amalgamation. The sixth union, the Electrical Workers' Union, will decide in the coming months its position. It may well be negative as, last year, a large majority of the local chapters were vocal in expressing their wish to remain an independent union.

The two unions currently organising referenda on the amalgamation proposal offer basic material on the alternatives also in English: see links on the right column.