Amicus

Amicus was the United Kingdom's second-largest trade union, and the largest private sector union, formed by the merger of Manufacturing Science and Finance and the AEEU (Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Union), agreed in 2001, and two smaller unions, UNIFI and the GPMU. Amicus also organised in both parts of Ireland and was affiliated to the UK Trades Union Congress, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the Scottish Trades Union Congress.

On 1 May 2007 it merged with the TGWU to form Unite, which is the biggest trade union in the UK.

Industry representation

Amicus organised workers in almost every industry, predominantly in the private sector. At the 2005 TUC Congress it was reported that Amicus had 1,200,000 members of whom 266,986 were female and 933,014 male.

Political affiliations

Amicus was affiliated to the Labour Party in Britain, and the Irish Labour Party (Ireland). The Amicus UK Parliamentary Group included about 120 MPs.

Foundation

When the merger to form Amicus was agreed, the General Secretary of MSF was Roger Lyons, and Sir Ken Jackson led the AEEU. When the merger came into force they both became Joint General Secretaries of Amicus. Jackson was forced to hold an election, and was replaced by Derek Simpson. In May 2003, Simpson became General Secretary in his own right following the departure of Lyons. 'Amicus' was chosen from the suggestion of Peter Skinner MEP for the name of this new union for its Latin meaning: friend, comrade (m).

Amicus (charity)

Amicus is a legal non-profit organisation based in the United Kingdom which helps provide representation for those facing the death penalty in the United States and elsewhere.

The charity assists those facing capital trial and punishment around the world, particularly in the United States, by providing proper legal representation and raising awareness of potential abuses of defendants' rights.

Amicus was founded in 1992, in memory of Andrew Lee Jones who was executed in the state of Louisiana in 1991. The charity's headquarters are located in London.

Mission statement

The charity's objectives are:

"To assist in the provision of legal representation for those awaiting capital trial and punishment in the US, or any other country, and to raise awareness of potential abuses of defendants’ rights."

Main activities

Amicus focuses on a number of areas of activity: Internships, Training, Case work, Events and Legal Education. In addition, the charity also hosts frequent charity social events including wine-tastings and academic panel discussions, often featuring prominent speakers.

Amicus (disambiguation)

Amicus is Latin for 'friend' or 'comrade'. The word may refer to:

Organizations

Places

People with the name

Law

Other uses