Connect,
the union for professionals in communications, has grown by 6.6 per cent over
the past year.
The
union, which has a membership of nearly 19,000 has been steadily growing since
1999, but this accelerated last year.
Nearly
50 per cent of the new members have never before been in a union and
increasingly come from companies in the so-called network economy.
Leslie
Manasseh, Connect’s director of organisation, said, "Although collective
bargaining remains a central part of our work, we have developed a broader
package of career support services tailored to
the
needs of our members. Whether they need representation, advice on their
contract, help with getting another job or a practical career plan, Connect can
help. We have our own employment agency and careers advice service.
"Over
their working lives, our members expect to work for a number of different
employers and under a number of different types of employment contract. The
union is a resource they can call upon at any and all critical points in their
career."
