How to join a trade union in the UK and what are the benefits?

First decriminalised in 1867, trade unions are groups of employees who join forces to ensure their employment interests and conditions are as satisfactory as can be. A trade union’s typical activities include negotiating for better pay and benefits attributed to a particular industry.

The organisations also looks to discuss wholesale changes such as large scale redundancy, members’ concerns with employers and attending disciplinary and grievance meetings with members. Throughout history, unions have contributed to the national minimum wage, improved worker safety and minimum holiday and sickness entitlements.

Close relationships are hoped to be developed between trade unions and employers to ensure smooth discussions can be had. The attraction of joining a trade union is apparent, with their primary goal having your best interests at heart.

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The first step is to find an appropriate union for your line of work. A comprehensive list of unions and contact details has been provided by the Certification Officer, the independent organisation responsible for the legal regulation of unions, along with an interactive tool which helps find unions in your workplace.

If there’s a union at work, you can ask the trade union representative about the possibility of joining. Respective contact details could possibly be found in your company handbook, intranet site or on the union noticeboard.

The union rep will then inform you if you are eligible to join and duly give you a membership form to fill in. If accepted, a union membership fee (sub) will then need to be paid to finance the union’s work.

The respective fees can be the same amount for