Amicus is Britain's second largest trade union. It was formed by a merger between MSF (Manufacturing Science and Finance) and the AEEU (Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Union) agreed in 2001.

Amicus organises workers in almost every industry.

When the merger to form Amicus was agreed, the General Secretary of MSF was Roger Lyons, and Sir Ken Jackson led the AEEU. Jackson was forced to hold an election, and was replaced by Derek Simpson.

In late 2004 two other unions joined Amicus - UNIFI (organising finance workers) and GPMU (from the graphical, print and media industries).

External link:

• www.amicustheunion.org