New figures reveal the North West remains a union stronghold

New figures revealed in the annual trade union membership report released this week reveal that trade union membership in the North West remains strong, with the region the second highest for union density across England.

The figures compiled by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) are collected annually to record how many employees in the UK are members of trade unions. Nationally trade union membership stands at 25.6%, whilst in the North West it is higher at 30%. Only the North East is higher, with 30.8%.

The result of this is that just under half of all workplaces in the North West (48%) have a trade union present and just under one third of all workers (31%) have their pay affected by collective agreements between unions and employers.

In some parts of the North West, the figures are much higher. Merseyside is way out in front, with 37.3% of all employees being members of trade unions, higher than anywhere else in the UK. Similarly, the number of workplaces there with a trade union present is higher than the rest of the country, with unions present in 57% of all workplaces compared to 48% in the rest of the North West and significantly higher than the South East where it stands at just 39%. As a result, more employees in Merseyside find their pay is affected by collective agreement with employers through the work of unions, with 40% of all workers.

All of this, the figures suggest, bodes well for workers, as the latest report also reveals that trade union members across the UK have a pay premium of up to £4,000 per year higher than non-union members, with the pay premium for women and young workers (those aged 16-24) particularly stand out at 30% and 38% respectively.

Across the North West, trade union membership remains strong, with 804,000 employee’s members of trade unions, making it the largest region in the UK. These results come at a time of significant public sector job losses as a result of Coalition spending cuts. The report showed that there was an increase of 61,000 private sector trade union members across the UK but that there had been a drop of 70,000 in the public sector. Today’s figures show that trade union membership in the private sector has grown for each of the last 3 years.

Commenting on these figures, Jay McKenna, Regional Campaigns Officer at the North West TUC, said, “The figures show that despite the recession and government attacks on the public sector, trade union membership has remained strong and those who are members of unions are seeing the value of their membership. Across the North West we remain strong in numbers and we are organised to defend our members and their terms and conditions. That is down to the hard work of our reps and activists in workplaces across the region and the work our affiliates are doing.”

He added, “What we see in Merseyside is that being part of a trade union is something is valued by employees. Trade unions are not only having a positive impact on their own pay as members, but more workers are seeing pay protected or improved by collective agreements in place between unions and employers. Unions deliver better pay, safer workplaces and better terms and conditions for workers. Having stronger unions will only improve this for workers.”

 - The BIS/ONS Trade Union Membership 2013 report is available here https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/313768/bis-14-p77-trade-union-membership-statistical-bulletin-2013.pdf

-  To find out more about joining a trade union people can visit www.worksmart.org.uk/unionfinder