The TUC has a history of developing analysis and research to inform economic and employment-related issues.

Worker protections in the UK compared to the rest of the OECD

Report: Falling behind on labour rights

The TUC produces a wide range of research and analysis reports

Latest TUC reports

Back

Nothing beats being a union member, but if you are looking for particular guidance on a workplace issue have a look at our workplace guidance.

Go to workplace guidance

Are you a union rep looking for help and advice to support your colleagues at work? Take a look at our wide range of resources.

Go to reps guidance

To effectively challenge sexual harassment, we must challenge the cultures that enable it through practical and proactive action.

Tackling and preventing sexual harassment

Why join a union?

When a group of workers act and speak together, their employer has to listen. That’s how unions make things better at work.

So why not find out which union is the right one for you, get a group of mates together in your workplace.

Find a union for you

7 reasons why you should join a union

1. Higher pay, better work benefits

Working people standing together and negotiating with managers as one means that, on average, union members get:

higher pay than non-members
better sickness and pension benefits
more paid holiday
the right to more flexible working hours.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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

7. Good public services for everyone, and a strong British economy

Unions representing nurses, midwives, firefighters, teachers and all other dedicated public servants, campaign for high-quality public services for everyone. Unions work with employers to maintain a stable and productive workforce. Workers who are involved in decisions about their company have great training opportunities, are fairly rewarded and can help companies survive bad times.