TEEU and SIPTU join ahead of tough talks

An alliance of unions today has resulted in nearly a quarter of a million workers being represented under the one umbrella group.

Delegates at a conference today for the Technical Engineering and Electrical Union voted to join with SIPTU.

The large alliance will now be the biggest trade union for the private sector and comprise over 240,000 workers.

Regional and local structures are in place for both unions to cooperate on a national basis.

The name of the new union will be Trade Union Federation (TUF).

It is expected that the increased number of workers under the one group will give them stronger options when it comes to the new national pay agreement to be decided soon with the Government.