Unite the Union

Unite the Union
source
Name	Unite the Union
Founded	01 May 2007
Members	~1.2 million (2023)
Country	United Kingdom
Head	Howard Beckett (Acting General Secretary)
Office	London, England
Website	unitetheunion.org

Unite the Union. It is the largest trade union in the United Kingdom and Ireland, formed in 2007 from the merger of Amicus and the Transport and General Workers' Union (TGWU). The union represents workers across a diverse range of private and public sector industries, advocating for improved pay, conditions, and workers' rights. It is a major affiliate of the Labour Party and a prominent force within the Trades Union Congress (TUC).

History

The union's formation was the result of a major consolidation within the British trade union movement, merging the substantial memberships and resources of Amicus and the Transport and General Workers' Union. This merger was influenced by declining union density and a desire to create a more powerful, strategic organization following changes in employment law under governments led by Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair. Key historical antecedents of its constituent parts include the Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Union and the General, Municipal, Boilermakers and Allied Trades Union. Since its creation, it has been involved in significant industrial disputes, including actions in the aviation industry with British Airways and within the National Health Service.

Structure and governance

The union is organized into several geographic regions across the United Kingdom and Ireland, alongside a structure of industrial sectors that represent specific trades. Its supreme governing body is the Policy Conference, which sets the union's strategic direction, while the Executive Council oversees day-to-day operations. Key committees, such as the Industrial Sector Committees, address issues within specific sectors like manufacturing and construction. The union's headquarters are located in London, with a significant administrative and bargaining presence also maintained in Birmingham.

Political activity and campaigns

As a major donor and affiliate of the Labour Party, the union exerts considerable influence on party policy and leadership elections, having supported figures like Ed Miliband and Jeremy Corbyn. Its political campaigns frequently focus on opposing austerity, advocating for public ownership of key utilities like Royal Mail, and challenging government policies on issues such as fire and rehire practices. The union also engages in broader social justice campaigns, including support for the Palestinian solidarity movement and anti-racism initiatives, often collaborating with groups like Hope Not Hate.

Membership and sectors

With approximately 1.2 million members, it organizes workers in a vast array of sectors. These include core areas such as manufacturing, construction, transport (including logistics and aviation with British Airways and easyJet), and the public sector, notably the National Health Service and local government. It also has significant membership in sectors like information technology, finance, the voluntary sector, and print media, representing everyone from factory workers and drivers to engineers and call centre staff.

Leadership and key figures

The union's first General Secretary was Derek Simpson, who served jointly with Tony Woodley following the merger. Len McCluskey, a prominent figure from the Transport and General Workers' Union tradition, later served a long tenure as General Secretary, becoming a nationally recognized voice on industrial relations. Sharon Graham succeeded him, becoming the first woman elected to the post, with a stated focus on workplace issues over Westminster politics. Other notable figures have included Assistant General Secretaries like Howard Beckett and Steve Turner, and former Labour Party deputy leader Angela Rayner served as its chair.

Affiliations and relationships

The union is a founding and dominant affiliate of the Labour Party and holds a leading position within the Trades Union Congress (TUC). It is a member of global union federations such as IndustriALL Global Union and the International Transport Workers' Federation. The union maintains a complex relationship with the Labour Party, at times being a staunch ally and at others a critical voice, as seen during the leadership of Keir Starmer. It also collaborates with other unions like GMB and Unison on cross-sectoral campaigns. Category:Trade unions in the United Kingdom Category:Organizations established in 2007 Category:Labour Party (UK) affiliates