Prospect And BECTU Unions Announce Merger

BECTU, the media and entertainment union, has merged with Prospect after its membership voted decisively in favour of joining forces with the professionals' union.

The two month-long ballot, which concluded at the end of August, saw 83% of BECTU members who took part vote 'yes' to the merger plan.

Prospect's merged membership will grow to more than 140,000, with BECTU forming its largest sector, which will incorporate Prospect's Communications, Media and Digital membership, including thousands of managers and specialists working for BT. The new BECTU sector will have over 40,000 members.

Mr Gerry Morrissey, BECTU's general secretary, who will head up the new sector said: "The pooling of our resources and experience with those of our new colleagues in Prospect will enable BECTU to provide an even better service for members; we'll also be able to reach out to even more of the thousands of creative sector workers across media and entertainment who need advice and representation."