PUBLIC sector workers' union Nipsa has controversially voted to support Britain's exit from the EU.
The final motion of the party's annual conference yesterday saw a majority of delegates back a 'Brexit' ahead of the June 23 referendum.
The motion, which goes against the stance of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, was brought by Branch 517, which represents more than 1,700 members in the education sector.
It criticised both camps in the campaign but concluded that the EU was a "club for the rich".
The motion accused Brussels of implementing pro-austerity economic policies and advancing "anti-public service policies such as TTIP (Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership)".
It also claimed the EU had "engaged in diplomatic and military manoeuvres that are destabilising other regions".
The motion was passed by 68 votes to 58, with five abstentions.
Nipsa general secretary Alison Millar was unavailable for comment last night.
Assistant general secretary Bumper Graham declined to elaborate on the implications of the union's motion.
"The conference passed the motion and now it is a matter for the incoming executive who later this month must determine how to take the terms of the resolution forward," he said.
Mr Graham was unable to say if the executive would meet before the June 23 referendum.
