If there is indeed strength in numbers, there can be few more potent examples of that in action than Unite the Union.rnThe Largest union in the UK, with more than two million members in the public and private sectors, Unite resulted from the merger last year of the Transport and General Workers Union and Amicus, a major supporter and champion of the Best Factory Awards in previous years. For Mike McCartney (right), Unite's head of health and safety, the amalgamation was the defining moment in ensuring the two unions could stand shoulder to shoulder on an equal basis with the large corporates and multi-nationals.rn"What we are seeking to do, in many ways, is to mirror what those bigger organisations do and to match up to them. We are also forging links with the European trades unions and have established strong ties with The United Steelworkers (USW) in the US." This could see Unite have a strategic partnership, backed up with a memorandum of understanding with USW, by the end of 2008. For Unite, these alliances and consolidation are the equivalent of having a global brand. It raises its profile and reinforces its standing when engaging with employers. "We have to be able to negotiate from a position of strength," states McCartney. "Some employers can be quite hard-nosed and will move labour around the world, according to the cheapest option, to secure the best profit. And while we recognise that we can't necessarily stop that, we do want to ensure that our members are properly compensated. Many employers accept that, of course. But we are there to make sure there are the proper agreements in place."
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