Unite, Unison and the GMB are now the most commonly recognised trade unions in the UK, according to research by Personnel Today‘s sister publication Employment Review.
The survey of 90 employers, covering a combined workforce of almost 1.2 million, shows that the three unions – the largest in the UK – command the lion’s share of the labour movement.
Eighty-eight per cent of the respondents recognised one or more trade unions for collective bargaining purposes for at least part of their workforce, while one-third recognised three or more.
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The TUC said more than 6.5 million people in the UK have opted for union membership – about one-quarter of the working population. However, this pales in comparison with the combined membership of about 13 million in 1980.
For more information, see the Yardstick section of Personnel Today.