Unions unite in membership drive

THE country’s two largest trade unions, representing more than 250,000 workers, have come together in an unprecedented move aimed at increasing union membership.

In a new agreement announced yesterday, SIPTU and IMPACT yesterday pledged to pool their resources to launch a series of measures in a bid to strengthen and promote trade union membership throughout the country.

There is no question of any direct merger between the unions. The development comes amid increasing concern in union circles that, despite the continuing success of social partnership, the traditional power and influence of trade unions has been eroded in recent years.