Posted 27th September 2021 | No Comments

TSSA in talks over merger with American union

TSSA in talks over merger with American union

The Transport Salaried Staffs' Assocation, which is sometimes dubbed the 'white collar' rail union, is in talks with an American union over a possible merger. The TSSA said a merger with the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers would increase the money available to it. Ten years ago, the TSSA discussed a merger with the RMT, but without success. The new talks follow a vote in favour at the TSSA's annual conference on 20 September. TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes said: 'I'm delighted that our Conference voted overwhelmingly for our union to continue talks with the Boilermakers to create the world's first transatlantic union. The aim is to deliver an autonomous British and Irish section composed of current TSSA members. We can build on our shared values and take forward a new and exciting model of trade union organising for our members on both sides of the pond. If these talks are successful, our members will see no real change to the way our union currently operates, no lowering of the high standards of representation our members currently receive. In fact, we expect to have access to far greater funds to support our organising activities. And our members in Britain and Ireland will continue to have full autonomy to make whatever industrial, political and policy decisions they wish to make.'