5 Reasons To Join A Trade Union

Many of the workplace rights you have today are the result of trade unions fighting for better working conditions.

Sick pay, holiday pay, lunch breaks and pensions are just a few of the rights that might not have been achieved had unions not fought for them.

However, data from TUC shows that over the past 25 years, union membership has fallen by 40% amongst 16 to 24-year-olds and nearly 30% amongst 25 to 34-year-olds.

Good news: between 2017 and 2018, there was an increase in the number of trade union members aged 16-24.

But here's a concerning chart that shows the bigger picture: the change in the percentage of employees in each age group who are trade union members since 1995. pic.twitter.com/HBG2vtY8v0

— Alex Collinson (@Alex__Collinson) May 30, 2019

So with that in mind, I’m on a mission to encourage my readers to join a trade union. Whether your workplace has a close relationship with a trade union or there’s an independent one you can join, it’s worth paying a few couple of quit a week to be a part of the unionised workforce.

Here are just 5 reasons to join a trade union.

Better pay

Trade unions often help workers negotiate for better pay and rights within the workplace.

USDAW (Union for Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers), for example, has been running the Time For Better Pay campaign to tackle in-work poverty.

The campaign aims to achieve the following:

• £10 per hour minimum wage
• Minimum 16 hour contracts
• No zero hour contracts
• Right to ‘normal hours’ contract

You might have also seen in the news that McDonald’s workers are currently fighting for a pay increase that’ll take them to £15 an hour. These staff members are working closely with the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers trade union in order to fight for their rights.

Safer workplace

Accidents are less likely to occur in workplaces with a union. This is because unions fight for safer working conditions and support staff members who’ve been injured following an accident at work.

Advice & support

If you’re having a problem at work, whether it’s that you rarely get a break or you’re being sexually harassed by a colleague, a union can offer you advice and support.

Most unions will have a team of experts who specialise in the following fields:

• Pensions
• Health & Safety
• Education
• Management
• Wages
• Employment Law

Better working benefits

Unions work hard to improve holiday entitlement, sick pay, working hours and pension offerings. This usually requires negotiating with employers on workers’ behalf.

By negotiating with employers, unions also have the power to improve staff members’ lives outside the workplace. For example, a union may be able to secure flexible working hours or better maternity/paternity pay for new parents.

Some unions have helped workers achieve very specific benefits such as paid time off to donate an organ to a friend or family member.

Protection from unfair dismissal

If you’re at risk of being dismissed or made redundant, a union can really help to fight your corner and protect you from wrongdoing.

With a union at your side, there’s a greater chance that your employer will have to follow the correct processes when terminating workers’ employment.

Often, unions can help you avoid losing your job completely, working with you and your employer to try and resolve any issues before they escalate.