Affiliates and Trade Unions

The Labour Party was formed in 1900 out of the Labour Representation Committee established by the Trades Union Congress to “establish a voice for working people within parliament”. Ever since then The Labour Party has worked hand in hand with the Unions and others, such as the Co-operative Party to create a fairer society and better conditions for working people.

If you are unsure if you should join a union, then consider the following. On average, union members get higher pay than non-members. They are also likely to get better sickness and pension benefits, more paid holiday and more control over things like shifts and working hours. Unions make sure working people are treated with respect – for example, opposing managers closing pensions schemes and stopping new workers being employed on worse terms and conditions. This is because workers join together to negotiate pay and conditions rather than leaving them up to managers.

The buttons below provide links to our union friends and our partners in the Co-operative Party.