The postal ballot firmly endorsed the recommendation made by the GPMUs executive council to side with Amicus as opposed to the Transport & General Workers Union.

Of the GPMUs 100,000 members, 26,976 endorsed merger talks with Amicus, while 9,803 cast their vote in favour of the T&GWU. The resulting turnout of 38.27% was described by the GPMU as high.

The decision, which was also supported by 25 of the GPMUs 27 branches, now paves the way for formal merger negotiations to begin.

GPMU general secretary Tony Dubbins said: I am absolutely delighted that GPMU members have expressed such confidence in their executive council and the leadership of this union in such a clear cut way.

It now gives us the opportunity with Amicus to build a first class, modern union for the 21st Century that will continue to represent those members needs.

We are convinced that issues which bind GPMU and Amicus members together, including organisation and recruitment, learning and skills, employment rights at work, European issues and our political work will be strengthened by this decision.

By Tony Brown