Merger would have been second largest in Canada this year
After a vote to merge fell short, the United Steelworkers and Telecommunications Workers Union will not join forces after all.
Voting results were released on Nov. 16, revealing a narrow loss. While 64.4 per cent of TWU members across Canada favoured the merger, the union’s constitution dictates a merger must be approved by at least 66.67 per cent.
It would have been the second largest union merger in the country, after the Canadian Auto Workers and the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers unions joined forces to create Unifor in September.
Earlier in August, the TWU and USW reached a tentative merger agreement – but following consultation with both groups and a failed vote, both union heads said they are disappointed with the result.
“We will continue to support and work closely with TWU members and leaders on the collective challenges we face," said Ken Neumann, Canadian director of the USW. "We will maintain our close strategic alliance with the TWU and build on our bonds of solidarity and our mutual commitment for a better future for our respective members across Canada."
