Unite union to merge with US-based United Steelworkers’ union

Trade union Unite is to merge with the US-based United Steelworkers' union (USW), creating a new body called Workers Uniting.

The new labour body will have a combined membership of about three million workers. The merger is set to be finalised at USW's conference in Las Vegas this week.

The aim of Workers Uniting will be to synchronise pay talks with multinational companies, reports BBC News Online.

Unite is the UK's biggest union and was formed last year by a merger of Amicus and the Transport and General Workers Union.

USW represents 850,000 workers in the US and Canada employed in the industries of metals, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining and the service sector.