A vote of BECTU members will now be held between June 27 and August 30, with a “yes” vote leading to a formal merger with Prospect on January 1, 2017.

“I am pleased that BECTU members have voted to take the next step towards merger following extensive negotiations with Prospect,” said Prospect general secretary Mike Clancy.

“A ‘yes’ vote would see a merger of equals and I firmly believe it would make both unions stronger and would therefore be in the interests of both.

“Prospect and BECTU have much in common. We need to respect each other’s cultures and recognise there is a great deal we can learn from each other.

“BECTU will retain a strong identity within the merged union and will become the largest sector of the union.”