The GPMU has welcomed the certification officers refusal to grant News Internationals internal union, News International Staff Association (NISA), a certificate of independence.


The GPMU, along with the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Union (AEEU), claimed that NISA could not represent workers rights as it is not independent of management.


The unions have started a campaign across NIs production centres at Kinning Park, Knowsley and Wapping. They have distributed leaflets urging NISA members to join their ranks.


The certification officer said: "NISA has some way to go before it can meet the statutory definition of independence."


GPMU national officer Chris Harding said NISA was an employers organisation and expressed doubts as to whether it could represent interests of workers.


"NISA is entirely financed by News International and all meetings are attended by management," said Harding.


A spokesman for NISA said: "NISA is funded by the company, but that money is held in a trust and is independent. "We secured the best percentage deal for our members out of any of the media unions."


NISA plans to appeal the decision.


Story by John Davies