Any possible merger would have to be discussed at next years June national conference before going to membership, he added.

The news follows an article in a national newspaper warning of a possible 1m-strong left-wing super union if both merged.

The Times deputy business editor, Martin Barrow, speculated that GPMU members could influence next years TGWU elections and shift its bias towards the left by electing TGWU deputy general secretary Tony Woodley, when general secretary Bill Morris retires in October 2003.

But Burke dismissed the article as purely speculative, and said The Times was over a month behind PrintWeek, which revealed last month that the GPMU was considering a merger (PrintWeek, 5 July).

The chances of GPMU members being involved in the leadership election of the TGWU are extremely unlikely there just would not be time, added Burke.

TGWU communications director Karen Livingstone echoed Burkes view, adding a merger may take two years.

The GPMU has also held preliminary talks with the Communications Workers Union, the GMB, and AMICUS-AEEU.

Story by John Davies