Figures show union diversity

Unions are more diverse than we are often told. Firstly black workers are more likely to be in unions than white.

And there are more women in unions in the UK than men, even though women make up under half the workforce.

There are more than 2.5 million women trade unionists in the public sector, compared to 1.3 million men. 

Irish workers more unionised

Workers in Northern Ireland are more likely than other UK workers to be in a union. Some 36 percent of workers there are unionised. 

This compares with 21 percent in the south east of England, where workers are the least likely to be unionised.

On 30 November striking workers in Northern Ireland (above) participated in what trade union leaders called the biggest day of action since the 1979 “Winter of Discontent”.

Union membership brings security

Union membership also rose in Yorkshire and Humber.

Some 16,000 more workers joined unions there since 2012, taking the total to 575,000.

Bill Adams, regional secretary of Yorkshire and Humber TUC, said: 

“More working people recognise that unions provide greater security”.