Overview

The annual report published by BIS on trade union membership has just been published and contains new statistics for 2010. As in previous years, it tracks an ongoing decline in trade union membership levels and, similarly, a fall in the number of employees covered by collective agreements.

However, this decline is not consistent across all sectors, with some experiencing a growth in trade union membership. Education has suffered a slight decline, from 55% in 1995 to 52%.

The statistics underline the potential impact on trade unions of the planned public sector budget reductions. With job losses expected in the public sector, where trade union density is highest, the report anticipates an acceleration in the decline in trade union membership.

Eversheds summarises the key findings.

To read more please click ‘view briefing’.