Unite is the union for the 21st century, meeting the greatest challenges facing working people today
- Sharon Graham (Unite General Secretary)

Why Join a Union?

Higher pay, better work benefits
Working people standing together and negotiating with managers as one means that, on average, union members get:
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Higher pay than non-members
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Better sickness and pension benefits
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More paid holiday
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The right to more flexible working hours.
Being treated with respect at work
Unions argue for working people to be treated with respect. For example, opposing managers downgrading and closing pensions schemes, stopping bosses using intrusive surveillance and preventing new workers being employed on worse terms and conditions.
Stopping Bullying and Discrimination
Unions work to end bullying and harassment at work, pushing managers to make workplaces safer. We stand up against unfair treatment of all kinds, including discrimination against women, lesbian, gay, bi and trans workers, Black and minority ethnic workers and disabled workers.
If there’s a strong trade union in your workplace, you’re more likely to have a better work/life balance. And women are far less likely to face problems at work while pregnant, on maternity leave or when they return to work.

Healthier at work
Every year unions train 10,000 workers in safety and health. Unions tackle the causes of ill health at work, not just the symptoms. That means lower accident and injury rates, less stress and better understanding and support for those with mental health problems.
Legal help
If you run into problems at work, your union’s legal team can make sure you are treated fairly – without you having to worry about paying. Whether the problem is with employment contracts, harassment, redundancy, pensions or discrimination your union will be there to help you.
Help with your career
Unions run huge training and education programmes to help our members get the skills they need to get better-paid jobs. And we argue for employers to have better development programmes so that ordinary working people get chances for training and promotion.
