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In the Metalworkers’ Union 55.6 per cent of the members, participating in the ballot, showed green light for the merger. In the Chemical Workers’ Union 62.1 per cent voted for the merger. The participation rates were decent, 26.5 per cent in the Metalworkers’ Union and 29.5 per in the Chemical Workers’ Union.

The two unions are the largest ones of the six unions. Their rank and file members sum up almost two thirds of the planned 330,000 rank and file super-union. Earlier the delegations of the Media Union (graphical workers) and the Wood and Allied Workers’ Union have positioned clearly in favour of the merger.

The Railway Workers’ Union may organise a ballot on the issue and the Electrical Workers’ Union will make its final decision within the next few months.

After the two decisive ballots there are not any major obstacles that could derail the planned merger from becoming true. Finland’s largest union is due to officially begin its work 1 January 2010.