Scots 6 to 1 vote to join TGWU
Page 27
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• A six-to-one majority in favour of merging with the Transport and General Workers Union was registered by members of the Scottish Commercial Motormen's Union in their ballot, which has taken place over the past three weeks. Results, announced at the weekend, were 8773 in favour, 1452 against —a majority of 7321. There were 32 spoilt papers. The union has over 20,000 members, and returns were affected by the tail-end of the postal strike.
The ballot was expected to arouse lively discussion at the 55th biennial conference in Dalkeith this week; the Dumbarton branch, for example, has been asking for an end to all negotiations.
As things stand, the ballot gives the goahead for amalgamating the SCMU with the 15,000-strong Scottish commercial group of the TGWU, to operate under a new joint committee. This will comprise an agreed number from the TGWU's Scottish executive, plus the Motormen's present executive.
It is understood that the TGWU has plans for recruitment in Scotland, aimed at bringing the joint membership there to over 75,000.
' With the merger, SCMU general secretary Mr Alex Kitson will become an executive officer, at national level, with the TGWU— in effect becoming third in seniority behind Mr Jack Jones and Mr Harry Urwin.
(See also page 27)