Trade unions aim to be the wind in the back of UK workers. They help push employees further, obtaining fairer salaries, fairer work conditions, and achieving their career goals. Unions do this by providing legal advice, networking opportunities and even representatives that can stand by your side if you are caught up in a dispute at work.
They make the transition between jobs more manageable, help you understand your rights, and slowly bring about significant changes in industry sectors across the country to improve the conditions of workers everywhere.
If you’ve not thought about joining a trade union before but are continuing a membership now, it might be because something in your working life has changed. This article will discuss when it is the right time to join a trade union and what you need to know about the process.
When Can I Join a Trade Union?
Before we go any further, it’s essential to establish one crucial thing upfront:
You can always join a trade union. Any worker in the UK is permitted to join a union. Your employer cannot discourage you or make you face any consequences for doing so. You are also not obligated to tell your employer if you choose to join a union.
Joining a union is entirely voluntary, and you can sign up for membership so long as you meet the eligibility requirements of your chosen union. Usually, this means that you have to work in a field represented by that union. Community represents workers in a range of industries, including:
Steel and metals
Education and early years
Logistics
Light industries
Finance
Justice and Custodial
Health and Social Care
Self-employment and Freelancers
But even if Community is not the right fit for you, many other unions across the country are ready to support you.
Understanding your Reasons for Joining a Trade Union…
If you are currently facing a dispute at work or are discontent with your employer, you might be tempted to join a trade union to help a present issue.
Here are some examples of workplace issues that might motivate you to join a trade union:
You or your colleagues are being mistreated by an employer. Therefore, you have cause to complain of workplace abuse.
You have reason to believe you are underpaid compared to the industry standard.
You have reason to doubt that health and safety measures in your workplace are being followed and believe that you or your colleagues might be at risk.
You are under investigation, and suspect discipline may follow and wish for representation.
You need advice about how to handle a workplace dispute.
But note:
Whilst short-term or immediate concerns are a valid reason to join a trade union, keep in mind that some unions will only entitle you to their full range of services after being a member for a minimum amount of time. (Often a month).
Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late to Join a Union!
Union membership should be seen as insurance to help you protect yourself from future problems. For example, you cannot claim assistance in case of a car crash unless you are already insured. Unions cannot provide help to non-members immediately, even if they hurry to sign up when a workplace dispute arises.
That’s why it is important to see trade union membership as a long-term investment into your workplace well being and professional future.
If you are considering joining a union because you are concerned about the state of your workplace, don’t wait until it is too late to join. Instead, sign on to a trade union membership now so that if things at work get worse, you will be able to rely on union assistance.
If you’re not sold on membership, don’t forget that help with an immediate crisis is far from the only thing trade unions can offer to you.
They offer a whole range of services, including:
Advice and representation
Legal support
Learning opportunities in your sector
Networking opportunities
Financial support
Discounts and savings
Unions work towards improving workplaces over time
Learn more about what trade unions have to offer on the Community website. There, you can browse the campaigns we currency support and the sectors we operate in.