The delegates at the two Congresses, LO and FTF, who voted yes to a merger earlier today will meet this afternoon for a founding congress to establish a new central organisation with 1.5 million members (there are approximately 2.7m persons engaged in active employment on the Danish labour market).
-This is a historical day for the Danish trade union movement. Our movement is based on the idea that we are stronger together. This is reflected in today?s decision. We agree on so much more than we disagree on, and members will feel the benefits of today?s decision when it comes to obtaining better results, says LO?s President, Lizette Risgaard.
-This is really good news for all the members who want jobs for everyone, high-quality welfare and a good working life. A new central organisation for 1.5 million workers will both strengthen their political influence and bargaining power, says FTF-President, Bente Sorgenfrey.
Both extraordinary congresses required a two-thirds majority to go forward with a joint central organisation.
In FTF, 71.4 percent of the delegates voted in favour of the merger
In LO, 389 out of 400 delegates voted for the merger while 11 votes were void or against.
The founding congress will take place at 2 p.m. today. Here, the delegates will found the new organisation at the formal level and decide on its presidency and political bodies. The press will have access.
The founding of the new, joint central organisation for 1.5 million Danish workers will come into effect as of 1 January 2019. Until then, LO and FTF will continue to operate separately.