The proposed merger between Amicus and the T&G was endorsed last week. A "majority" of those who voted in the ballot said "yes". But the turnout was only 27% - which shows just how removed most members feel from what goes on at the top of their unions - and for good reason, too.

Just last week, Amicus deputy general secretary Ed Sweeney co-signed a government paper calling for a cut in the present statutory protection against inflation for occupational pensions, as well as more flexible rules allowing bosses to make "small adjustments" (meaning cuts) to pension benefits! As if the job of a union leader was to help the bosses boost their profits on workers' backs!

And Amicus is not the only union whose leaders seem to think that their job is to cuddle up to the bosses. Wasn't Jeannie Drake, then deputy general secretary of the CWU, sitting on the Turner commission, which proposed postponing retirement age to 67? As to T&G leaders, they have a long record of signing up to job cuts and selling them as "victories" - the most blatant case being the case of the closure of the Rover plant at Longbridge.

Of course, having large unions - in fact a single one organising workers across all industries and skills - could be significant progress for workers. In fact, the TUC itself could have played this role long ago. But when was the last time it used its position to try to unite the ranks of the working class in a fight for their interests? More than 35 years ago and, even then, it was only for a day!

Union leaders make no secret of the fact that their merger policy aims at making up for the loss of cash caused by the drop in membership. Their aim is not to reinforce the working class by uniting its ranks. Nor do they have any qualms about displaying their spinelessness in front of the bosses - even though this is what keeps members out.

Whether merged or not, the working class will have to reclaim control of its unions, if they are to be of any use in defending our collective interests.