Union calls for no vote in treaty referendum

Government hopes of securing a yes vote in the looming EU referendum were dealt a double blow as a major trade union came out against the fiscal compact treaty, and it emerged more than half of voters have little or no idea what they are meant to be deciding on.

Retail workers’ union Mandate, which represents 45,000 people, has called for a no vote, reflecting growing unease in the labour movement ahead of the May 31 poll.

General secretary John Douglas said that a yes vote would “copper-fasten” austerity and could tip the country over into depression.