Helsinki (03.06.2009 / edited 04.06.2009 – Juhani Artto) On Wednesday, the whole amalgamation project of several industrial unions faced a major setback. A clear majority of the Metalworkers’ Union Congress delegates were in favour of the merger but a minority of the delegates prevented this from happeninig.
It was possible as, according to its rules, the Metalworkers' Union cannot be dissolved and its assets transferred into another organisation, in case more than a quarter of the Congress delegates are against such decisions. In the decisive voting the minority had about 37 per cent of the votes.
Back in February 2009, a clear majority voted for the merger. Prior to the ballot, leaders of the two political groups in the union leadership promised to respect the result of the ballot. Within the union leadership social-democrats represent the majority group, and members and/or supporters of the Left Alliance the minority group.
Following the withdrawal of the Metalworkers’ Union means that the new union – TEAM – will now be composed of an amalgamation of three of four unions. The Media Union, the Wood and Allied Workers’ Union and the Railway Workers’ Union already are members of TEAM.
The Chemical Workers’ Union will make its final decision this week when the union council convenes. In February 2009, a clear majority voted in favour of the merger.
TEAM will officially begin its work on 1 January 2011.
Read also:
Decisive ballot gives green light to merger of industrial unions (20.02.2009)
Merger of industrial unions to be postponed for a year (07.05.2009)