Date: 31/07/08

Embargo: For Immediate Release

Attention: Newsdesks, Education and Social Affairs Correspondents

Growth in trade union membership in Wales

Figures released by the Department for Business (BERR) show trade unions in Wales have grown by almost 6,000 members, or 1.5%, in 2007 - more than in any other UK nation and consolidates on similar growth made last year.

The figures, which also show that female workers in Wales are joining a trade union at a higher rate than male workers, and a significant increase in part-time working members, were resoundly welcomed by the Wales TUC.

Speaking about the figures, Derek Walker, Wales TUC Head of Policy and Campaigns said:

'These figures show trade union members are earning more than non-members, a decade of stable union membership, and our own figures show that the rise in membership in unions belonging to the TUC is the largest in a decade.'

'This increase is almost certainly the result of the huge resources unions have put in to reaching out to workers, delivering work place learning and consolidating our role as key social partners representing the interest of working people across all of Wales.'

'Unions have continued to put on members amongst managerial and professional staff, and during the last year have stepped up their efforts to organise and support Britain's two million vulnerable workers.'

'The challenge for unions now is to build on our membership base, particularly among young workers - and with more people in work than ever before, unions need to do all they can to recruit and organise working people in every economic sector.'

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Notes to Editors

• The full document, Trade Union Membership 2007 is available from BERR at http://stats.berr.gov.uk/UKSA/tu/tum2008.pdf

• Media Enquiries: Chris Hartwell t: 029 2034 7010 or e: CHartwell@tuc.org.uk

Press release (300 words) issued 30 Jul 2008