NIPSA will launch its EU referendum campaign over the coming days but the north's biggest trade union has refused to say whether or not it will be in support of a Brexit.
A week ago the public service union's annual conference backed a resolution in support of the UK severing its ties with Brussels.
The motion was proposed by Patrick Mulholland, a Socialist Party activist who was defeated by Alison Millar in last year's election for Nipsa general secretary. It was passed by 68 votes to 58 with five abstentions.
Mr Mulholland is openly critical of the union's leadership but insists his resolution, which labelled the EU a "rich man's club", reflects the sentiments of the union's rank and file.
Nipsa's general secretary has refused to comment on the outcome of last week's vote, which runs contrary to the stance of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) umbrella body. Nipsa also rejected last November's Fresh Start agreement, which was endorsed by the ICTU.
A spokeswoman for the union yesterday told The Irish News that Nipsa would be publishing its campaign material either today or early next week. However, when asked whether it would be pro-EU or in favour of a Brexit, the spokeswoman refused to say.
"We are not in a position to say at present," she said.
A number of Nipsa members have contacted The Irish News to say they do not agree with the union's support for leaving the EU.
One member, who said he wished to remain anonymous, described Mr Mulholland's claim that the pro-Brexit resolution reflected members' wishes as "outrageous" and "inaccurate".
"For this faction to claim they represent the broad consensus of members is quite frankly laughable – no consensus was sought at any Nipsa branch in Northern Ireland," he said.
"A lot of members are horrified by Mr Mulholland's actions and have requested that he withdraws his remarks claiming to represent the membership. He certainly does not."
