The United Steelworkers (USW), together with Amicus and the Transportation & General Workers Union (T&GWU) of the United Kingdom, have begun to lay the groundwork for creation of the first Trans-Atlantic trade union.

The new union would be the world's biggest, representing more than 3.4 million members in the U.S., Canada, U.K., and Ireland. Based in London, the new union will be called "Unite". It would be expected to attract other union organizations throughout the world into membership.

To formalize the process, representatives of the three unions signed an accord to set up a merger exploration committee that will be tasked with laying down a foundation for a legal merger within one year. During the exploration process, the unions will engage in coordinated campaigning and common approaches to collective bargaining with multinational companies.

The agreement follows a strategic alliance signed two years ago between Amicus and the USW. Amicus and the T&GWU will join together as one union with two million members after May 1, 2007.

The 'Ottawa Accord' between the three unions is titled: "Exploring a Global Union for the 21st Century." It states, “Amicus-T&G and the USW firmly believe that over the coming years only through greater international solidarity and cooperation can we as a trade union movement, effectively represent the interests of our members against the threats posed by global capital."

The new accord commits the North American and UK unions to create a merger exploration committee including five principals from each union to study the legal framework, constitutions, rules, and structures of the current unions during the next 12 months to suggest a framework for a formal merger. The accord also establishes a regular exchange between senior officers that will take place every quarter to monitor and develop areas of joint work and to find ways of integrating common programs to enhance the understanding and culture of the unions.

As part of the accord, the unions have committed to provide materials and financial resources for joint international solidarity projects that might include support of Columbia's trade union movement in the face of continued attacks on labor and human rights; capacity-building projects with partner unions in Africa; solidarity work with the ship breakers of India and joint exploration of transnational corporations in China.

The North American and UK unions have also committed to develop common approaches to collective bargaining in sectors and multinational companies where their joint membership work, and engage in regular participation in each union's educational and political conferences and activities.

"One of the main reasons for the merger between Amicus and the T&GWU was our desire to create an international trade union that would be able to deal with multinational companies on an equal footing,” said Derek Simpson, General Secretary of Amicus. “I hope today's announcements marks the beginning of the creation of a formidable international trade union organization."

“Workers in this new century need a trans-Atlantic union to tame the exploitation of global corporations, international banks and world trade organizations,” said USW International President Leo W. Gerard. “The time for global unionism has arrived. We need cross-border organizing strategies to protect workers against the mobility of capital that knows no borders. Workers want their unions to develop labor contracts that encompass global employers. We must meet the challenge and defend human rights standards for all.

“USW members in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean Basin know the benefits of international unionism and are ready to commit support to today's announcement for exploring the first trans-Atlantic union for workers in two continents.”

“This is an historic step for global trade unionism, and will help working people to look even the biggest employer in the eye,” said T&GWU General Secretary, Tony Woodley. “Closer working and agreement with North American trade unionists forms a crucial part of our global organizing agenda, designed to stop bosses playing off workers in one country against those in another."