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To boost bargaining power, the Transportation Communications International Union (TCU) plans to merge with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM). The marriage will increase IAM’s membership to about 700,000, the union announced yesterday.

Founded in 1899 as the Brotherhood of Railway Clerks, TCU represents 46,000 clerks, carmen (through the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen Division) and supervisors at Amtrak, BNSF Railway Co., Canadian National Railway Co., CSX Transportation, Norfolk Southern Corp., Union Pacific Railroad and most commuter-rail agencies. IAM represents more than 11,000 rail workers in North America.

“We're joined by our common heritage as rail unions founded more than a century ago and by our growth over the years to include workers throughout the transportation industry,” said IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger in a prepared statement. “This ‘union of unions’ will give us greater strength to face the economic challenges that confront our members and workers everywhere.”

TCU will retain its identity and become TCU/IAM, a separate rail division. On Aug. 17, TCU officials will meet in Washington, D.C., to review the merger agreement's terms. Officials expect to complete the merger no later than Jan. 1, 2012.