Trade Unions
A trade union is a membership organisation made up of workers or employees. It looks after their interests at work by doing things like:
negotiating agreements with employers on pay and conditions
discussing big changes like large scale redundancy or TUPE
discussing members’ concerns with employers
representation of members for disciplinary and grievance meetings
Why join a Union Video - by the TUC
Trade Union Member Services
If you run into problems at work, your union has got your back. Your union’s legal team can make sure that you are treated fairly and represent you at no extra cost. Each year, unions win millions in compensation for members who suffer injuries or are treated unfairly at work.
Nearly all trade unions also provide member services that can include the below:
Training
Legal Services
Helplines
Discounted services and products
Wellbeing and free debt advice
Charitable financial assistance
Find a Trade Union
First of all, it is best to ask colleagues at work if there is a specific union or union rep you can talk to. You might find their details in your induction procedures or on a staff noticeboard or intranet
You can search a list of unions and their contact details put together by the Certification Officer, the independent organisation responsible for the legal regulation of unions.
You can also use the TUC’s interactive tool to help you find a trade union in your workplace, or one which covers your type of job.
Membership Subscriptions
Your union will charge a union membership fee (‘membership sub’) to finance the work of the union. This can be the same amount for all employees or based on how much you are paid.
Paying your membership subs
You can pay your subs by:
having the amount taken by your employer from your pay and sent to the union (otherwise known as ‘check-off’)
direct debit
cash
cheque
Paying by check-off
Your employer does not have to take union membership subs from your pay and send it to the union. They can stop sending your membership subs unless your employment contract says they have to.
Your employer cannot take union membership subs from your pay without your written permission. Many trade unions will get your agreement to pay by check-off when you join, and forward it to your employer.
You can also ask your employer in writing to stop taking money from your pay for check-off whenever you want. They must then stop taking subs from your pay as soon as it’s possible.
Your employer is responsible for making sure that any check-off payments they make are legal.
Your Employment rights to join a Union
You have the right to:
choose to join or not join a union
decide to leave or remain a member of a union
belong to the union you choose, even if it’s not the one your employer negotiates with on pay, terms and conditions
belong to more than one union
Your employer isn’t allowed to:
offer you a benefit to leave a trade union
threaten to treat you unfairly if you don’t leave a union
Refusing to employ you for trade union membership reasons
An employer or employment agency is not allowed to insist that you:
join or leave a trade union
leave one union for another
Dismissal for Trade Union membership reasons
Your employer is not allowed to dismiss you or choose you for redundancy because you:
are or want to be a union member
aren’t or don’t want to be a union member
took part or wanted to take part in union activities
Other unfavourable treatment
Your employer must not treat you unfavourably (for example refusing you promotion or training opportunities) if you:
join a union
take part in its meetings
leave a union
What to do if you have a problem
You may be able to use a grievance procedure or go to an employment tribunal if you think your employer has treated you unfairly because of your trade union membership.
Contact the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) if you have any questions about trade union membership.
Take a look at our 'Raising Issues' web page for further guidance.