Welcome to TUC Congress 2026!

The past twelve months have been marked by political change and economic uncertainty. Yet through it all trade unions have continued to do what we do best: deliver for working people.

Thanks to years of determined campaigning by unions across our movement, more than eight million workers gained the right to sick pay from day one last April.

Just think about what that means. Millions of workers no longer face the impossible choice between going to work when they are ill or losing the income they need to pay the bills.

That is the difference our movement makes. Real change that improves lives in every workplace and every community.

And there is more good news. Trade union membership grew by almost 200,000 people over the past year.

Now we must build on that progress. With new workplace access rights coming into force this October we have a major opportunity to reach workers who have never had the chance to speak with a union before.

Because there has rarely been a more important moment for working people to stand together and win change.

That is why this year’s Congress theme, Unity Works, could not be more appropriate.

Whether we are winning new rights at work, organising new members, protecting public services, securing decent jobs or tackling inequality, progress only happens when working people unite around common goals and shared values.

History teaches us that every major advance won by working people has come through collective action.

The minimum wage, paid holidays, safer workplaces and stronger employment rights were won because workers organised, stood together and refused to settle for less.

Over the past year I have had the privilege of meeting reps and activists across the country, of joining picket lines and of celebrating hard-fought victories. Time and again I have seen the power of solidarity in action.

I have seen that unity works.

Let us carry that spirit with us throughout this Congress and into the year ahead.

Paul Nowak, TUC General Secretary