United Voice and National Union of Workers have voted to merge and form a new union, the United Workers Union.

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) declared the ballot result on Friday, 30 August, with more than 95 per cent per cent of members voting yes for the new union.

The decision comes after a 35 day AEC postal ballot of members across both unions.

NUW national secretary Tim Kennedy said the new United Workers Union would be a significant voice for workers in both the public and private sectors.

“We represent workers at the sharp end of social and economic inequality, in areas such as education, logistics, cleaning, building services, health and aged care. We represent the workers who manufacture and distribute the food, beverages, and pharmaceuticals we all rely on.

“Our combined 150,000 members share a strong history of taking up the fight for all working people. They have voted for a transformative new union that will put workers at the centre of our economic and political system.”

United Voice national secretary Jo-anne Schofield said across the board, members had resoundingly embraced the opportunity to democratically set the course for the future of United Voice and NUW to form the United Workers Union:

“This endorsement sets the new union on the strongest path to success. It reflects our ambition to ensure members are at the heart of everything we do.

“Our members want a powerful voice, to take action on inequality and to win jobs they can count on. The job for us now is to get to work and deliver for our members, as one bigger, stronger union.”

The Fair Work Commission will now consider the ballot result and both unions will provide the relevant submissions to progress towards amalgamation.

Comment below to have your say on this story.

If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at info@3.106.117.80. 

Sign up to INCLEAN’s newsletter.