POST and telecoms workers should campaign for “a reformed European Union which puts working people at the heart of what it does,” the Communication Workers Union is expected to agree today.

The union’s executive will recommend that delegates vote to support the Remain campaign while recognising that the EU is “far from perfect.”

An emergency motion due to be heard this morning asserts that a vote to leave would “leave a number of basic employment rights under immediate threat from the government.”

It also says that “revenue and jobs in companies where we have members” would be put at risk.

But the union will refuse to affiliate to the official Britain Stronger In Europe campaign, arguing that the labour movement must campaign “not for the status quo” but make the case for reform.

The CWU, which is Labour’s fourth-largest affiliate, joins other big unions such as Unite, the GMB and Unison in its support for remaining in the EU.

But rail unions RMT and Aslef, along with the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union, are advocating a vote for withdrawal.

CWU general secretary Dave Ward said: “The EU is far from perfect. Our members know this better than most as it was Europe which opened postal services up to competition.

“But I’m clear that it was the UK government which imposed this in an unfair and damaging way and that we have the power to protect daily deliveries and our members’ jobs while remaining in Europe.

“It is important now that the labour movement ensures the debate on the referendum is not simply two competing visions of a Conservative future. We must make the progressive case to remain.”