A new union for white collar workers has been launched pledging to create a better life at work for professionals in the private and public sector.

Prospect is an amalgamation the Institution of Professionals, Managers and Specialists with the Engineers' and Managers' Association with a total of 104,000 members.

The new union, launched on Thursday, will be headed jointly by Paul Noon and Tony Cooper. It claims 7.7 per cent of Britain's engineers are members and it is recognised by 340 companies.

"Our vision is to create a better life at work for members. If we can do this and prove our relevance to the employment needs of professionals and specialists in the public and private sectors, Prospect will be as successful as IPMS and EMA were in the past," said Noon.