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Joining a trade union

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1. Joining a trade union

A trade union is an organisation that represents the interests of its members, who are usually workers or employees.

Trade unions may provide services to their members, including:

  • advice or representation in disciplinary and grievance procedures
  • support with training, skills development and career progression
  • advice and support on equality issues at work

If an employer recognises a union, that union can negotiate on behalf of workers. It may:

  • negotiate collective agreements with employers on matters such as pay, hours, holidays and other working conditions
  • consult with employers about significant workplace changes, including restructuring and redundancies
  • represent workers collectively in discussions about workplace policies and practices
  • work with employers on health and safety matters

Find a union to join

You can search the official list of trade unions made by the Certification Officer. This is the independent statutory regulator of trade 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.

If there’s a union in your workplace, you can ask the trade union representative (‘rep’) about joining. Their contact details may be in your company handbook, intranet site or on the union noticeboard.

The union rep can tell you if you’re eligible to join and how to do so.

Trade union membership subscriptions

Trade unions may charge a membership fee (‘membership subscription’ or ‘sub’). This can vary depending on your income or circumstances.

Paying your membership fees

You can pay your membership fees:

  • directly to the union
  • through ‘check-off’ – where your employer deducts your sub directly from your pay (with your written permission) and sends it to the union

If you have a problem paying by check-off

If you have a problem with your check-off payments, try to discuss the issue with your employer and your trade union first.

If your trade union subscriptions are taken from your pay without your consent, you could make a complaint to an employment tribunal against your employer.

If your complaint is successful the employment tribunal can order your employer to pay you the value of the unauthorised payments.

2. Trade union membership: your employment rights

You have the right to:

  • choose to join a union
  • choose not to 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 is not allowed to:

  • offer you a benefit to leave a trade union
  • threaten to treat you unfairly if you do not 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:

Other unfavourable treatment

Your employer must not treat you unfavourably (for example, refusing you promotion or training opportunities) if you:

What to do if you have a problem

If you have a problem, you should first try to discuss the issue with your employer and, if you are a member of a union, your trade union. 

Contact the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) if you have any questions about trade union membership.

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 or absence of trade union membership.

3. Role of your trade union rep

A trade union representative (‘rep’) is a union member who represents and gives advice to union members in the workplace.

A rep is elected or appointed.

What do union reps do?

Reps are there to:

  • discuss any concerns you have about your employer
  • go with (‘accompany’) you to disciplinary or grievance hearings with management
  • represent you in negotiations (‘collective bargaining’) over your pay and terms and conditions of employment
  • meet with your employer to find solutions to workplace issues
  • develop the best possible health and safety procedures with your employer

When a trade union is recognised by an employer, the employer must consult with union reps if, for example:

  • there is going to be a business transfer or takeover
  • they are planning to make 20 or more people redundant within 90 days

Your right to be accompanied

You have the right to be accompanied by your union rep, a union official or a work colleague to some meetings with management. For example, if:

  • you’re facing a disciplinary charge
  • you wish to formally raise a grievance with your employer

Becoming a union rep

If you want to become a union rep, ask another rep in the workplace or contact your union through its website. Depending on union rules, you may be appointed or elected.

If you become a union rep, find out what rights you have.

If you have concerns about your trade union or union rep

You should try raise any concerns through your union’s internal complaints procedure.

Depending on the nature of the complaint, you may be able to complain to the Certification Officer, the independent statutory regulator of trade unions. The Certification Officer can only consider certain types of complaints.

4. Union negotiations with your employer

When an employer and a union agree to negotiate on pay, terms and conditions, this agreement is called ‘recognition’ of the union. The negotiations are called ‘collective bargaining’.

How collective bargaining works

Your employer and trade union must agree on how collective bargaining will be done including:

  • which union, rep or official will represent a group of workers or employees (this group is called a ‘bargaining unit’)
  • who is included in the bargaining unit
  • how often meetings will take place
  • what issues they’ll discuss
  • how disagreements will be handled
  • how collective bargaining will work if more than one union is recognised

Collective agreements

Agreements reached through collective bargaining are called collective agreements and they often mean a change in your employment terms and conditions.

Collective agreements can cover all staff in the bargaining unit - not just union members.

Your employment contract may say which collective agreements cover you if:

  • your employer recognises more than one trade union
  • 1 union is recognised to negotiate for more than 1 bargaining unit