Members of IPMS and the Engineers' and Managers Association (EMA) have voted overwhelmingly to join forces and create Prospect - a new union for 105,000 professionals, which will be launched on 1 November. IPMS members voted in large numbers to endorse the merger by a majority of 85 per cent, EMA members by 90 per cent.
Welcoming the support for Prospect, Paul Noon, IPMS general secretary, said: "This is a significant step for IPMS and EMA members, who have given a clear mandate for the merger. We intend that Prospect should set the standard for first class support to members on all employment related issues."
Commenting on the vote, EMA general secretary, Tony Cooper, said "I am delighted with this result which demonstrates that EMA and IPMS members are not afraid to embrace change and move forward. Together we will build a new organisation for professional and managerial staff which will both meet existing members' aspirations in today's fast changing employment market and will be fresh and exciting enough to appeal to professional staff in new emerging industries."