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Union membership has plunged to an all-time low, says ONS Union membership has plunged to an all-time low, says ONS
(35 minutes later)
Trade unions experienced the biggest membership drop since records began last year, falling by 275,000 last year to 6.2 million, according to figures. Trade unions have experienced the biggest membership drop since records began, falling by 275,000 last year to 6.2 million.
Union leaders blamed the loss of “good-quality jobs”, cuts to the public sector workforce and the rise of the gig economy for the 4.2% drop, the biggest annual cut since records began in 1995, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.Union leaders blamed the loss of “good-quality jobs”, cuts to the public sector workforce and the rise of the gig economy for the 4.2% drop, the biggest annual cut since records began in 1995, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.
Union membership in private firms fell by 66,000 to 2.6 million and in the public sector by 209,000 to 3.6 million.Union membership in private firms fell by 66,000 to 2.6 million and in the public sector by 209,000 to 3.6 million.
“Cuts to the public sector workforce have meant the loss of many good quality jobs and recent growth in private sector employment has been characterised by a large proportion of insecure jobs,” said the TUC general secretary, Frances O’Grady.“Cuts to the public sector workforce have meant the loss of many good quality jobs and recent growth in private sector employment has been characterised by a large proportion of insecure jobs,” said the TUC general secretary, Frances O’Grady.
“This presents challenges to trade unions for recruitment. We’re rising to that challenge, not least because we know there’s lots that unions can do to help young workers in low-paid and insecure jobs.”“This presents challenges to trade unions for recruitment. We’re rising to that challenge, not least because we know there’s lots that unions can do to help young workers in low-paid and insecure jobs.”
According to Guardian analysis, the number of workers in the UK in precarious positions where they could lose their jobs at short or no notice has grown by almost 2 million in the past decade, as businesses insist on using more self-employed workers and increasingly recruit staff on temporary and zero-hours contracts. It found that 7.1 million people face precarious employment conditions, up from 5.3 million in 2006.According to Guardian analysis, the number of workers in the UK in precarious positions where they could lose their jobs at short or no notice has grown by almost 2 million in the past decade, as businesses insist on using more self-employed workers and increasingly recruit staff on temporary and zero-hours contracts. It found that 7.1 million people face precarious employment conditions, up from 5.3 million in 2006.
Research from the TUC suggested that one in 10 UK workers are in precarious jobs, including in the “gig economy, with less access to sick pay, redundancy and job protection, while zero-hours contract workers earn a third less than average employees.Research from the TUC suggested that one in 10 UK workers are in precarious jobs, including in the “gig economy, with less access to sick pay, redundancy and job protection, while zero-hours contract workers earn a third less than average employees.
Unions also face the challenge of recruiting younger workers – two out of five union members are aged over 50. O’Grady urged young people to join a union, arguing that it was likely to improve terms and conditions.Unions also face the challenge of recruiting younger workers – two out of five union members are aged over 50. O’Grady urged young people to join a union, arguing that it was likely to improve terms and conditions.
In an era of stagnation in wages – the Institute for Fiscal Studies expects average real earnings to be no higher in 2022 than they were before the financial crisis, a situation it describes as “unprecedented” – it was more important than ever for people to join a union, she added. “It remains the case that trade union members get higher pay and better terms of employment.”In an era of stagnation in wages – the Institute for Fiscal Studies expects average real earnings to be no higher in 2022 than they were before the financial crisis, a situation it describes as “unprecedented” – it was more important than ever for people to join a union, she added. “It remains the case that trade union members get higher pay and better terms of employment.”
Women were more likely to be members of a union, with about 26% of female members in 2016 compared with 21% for male employees. But while male membership levels declined by 2.8% in 2016 – the biggest fall in male membership since 2010 – female membership fell by 5.4%, the biggest annual fall in female membership levels since records began.Women were more likely to be members of a union, with about 26% of female members in 2016 compared with 21% for male employees. But while male membership levels declined by 2.8% in 2016 – the biggest fall in male membership since 2010 – female membership fell by 5.4%, the biggest annual fall in female membership levels since records began.
The Unison general secretary, Dave Prentis, said his union had increased membership this year and was recruiting 158,000 members annually. “This is despite over half a million job cuts in the public sector since 2010 and the unreasonable pressure this government has put on unions,” he said.The Unison general secretary, Dave Prentis, said his union had increased membership this year and was recruiting 158,000 members annually. “This is despite over half a million job cuts in the public sector since 2010 and the unreasonable pressure this government has put on unions,” he said.