Union membership number rises for fourth year
Trade union membership has increased for the fourth year in a row – up by almost 120,000 in 2020, figures show.
The TUC welcomed the increase, saying thousands of workers have turned to unions during the coronavirus crisis, to protect their jobs and defend their rights.
The Resolution Foundation said union membership increased from 6.2million to 6.6m between 2016 and 2020 – a "significant" rise but still half the peak membership of 13.2m in 1979.
Dan Tomlinson, senior economist at the Resolution Foundation, said: "Many people assume that trade union membership is in terminal decline but in fact, these statistics, membership has been increasing. However, union membership across sectors and age groups is varied. While over half of all employees in education are members but fewer than one in 20 hospitality employees."
TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said: "This pandemic has brutally exposed the terrible working conditions and insecurity many workers face.
"Thousands have turned to unions during this crisis, to protect their jobs, defend their rights and keep their workplaces safe.
"Unions can play a key role in helping the country recover from this pandemic by supporting good, green jobs and working with employers to level up pay and conditions."
Warren Kenny, the GMB's acting general secretary, said: "The pandemic has unleashed severe attacks on jobs and employment conditions, as employers use fire-and-rehire tactics to try and drive down standards.
"Workers are increasingly demanding fair pay and fair contracts, and they are organising to get it.