Two post offi ce workers’ unions have agreed to merge and form Japan’s largest labour union, with 220,000 members, after Japan Post is privatised on October 1.

According to a Japan Times report, the 136,000-strong Japan Postal Workers’ Union voted for the plan at its national convention in Naha last month. The 84,000-strong All Japan Postal Labour Union also approved the merger.

Each of the two unions will fi nalise the merger at extraordinary meetings and form the Japan Postal Group Union on Oct. 22. The new union will eclipse the All NTT Workers Union of Japan, which is currently the largest, with 180,000 members.