The official result of the transfer of engagements ballot was: Yes 26,709, and No 4,287 or 14% of GPMU members. There were just 50 spoilt papers.

GPMU general secretary Tony Dubbins (pictured) described the outcome as an outstanding result.

"On behalf of the Executive Council, and myself personally, I would like to thank our branches and members for their magnificent support," he said.

A GPMU spokesman said the union would now have five years in which to merge its structures with those of Amicus.

Certain legal steps will now be undertaken, he said, including a six-week resting period, with the aim of the two unions joining forces from 1 October.

The GPMU will become a sector, one of the largest, within Amicus.

In leadership terms, Dubbins will become a deputy general secretary of Amicus, under its general secretary Derek Simpson.

GPMU deputy general secretary Tony Burke will become assistant general secretary.

The GPMU's headquarters at Bedford will also close in due course, with its staff relocating to Amicus' offices in Covent Garden or Bromley.

The spokesman said GPMU members would see little difference in the short term.

"We will still have our own conference every two years. The only change will be that members pay less in subscriptions," he said.

The ballot follows an initial postal ballot in February this year, which saw GPMU rank and file members vote in favour of a merger with technical and manufacturing union Amicus.

Story by Andy Scott