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17th May 2007

NEWS IN BRIEF

TRADE UNION MEMBERSHIP

An analysis of trade union membership by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has found that the rate of union density has fallen by just under one per cent since 2006 to 28.4 per cent.

Although the TUC accepts that unions need to do more to gain new members, it has pointed out that the decline is very small.

Brendan Barber, the TUC general secretary said: “[This] relatively small fall in the number of union members is actually a union success story, given the continuing decline in traditionally unionised jobs in sectors such as manufacturing. Indeed after falling strongly through the 1980s and early 1990s, union membership has roughly stabilised since 1997.”

The figures also show that a higher proportion of women than men are trade union members. Union density among women fell by just 0.2 per cent to 29.7 per cent of employees, while for men it fell by 0.9 per cent to 27.2 per cent.

To download the report, go to: www.dti.gov.uk/files/file39006.pdf

WORK AND FAMILIES ACT

Following change to the Work and Families Act 2006 which came into force on 1 April 2007, the TUC has updated its “Know Your Rights” leaflets to include the new legislation.

These cover maternity leave and pay, paternity leave and pay, adoption leave and pay and flexible working for parents.

To download the new leaflets, go to: www.tuc.org.uk/tuc/rights_main.cfm.

Or request a free copy from the 'Know Your Rights Line' on 0870 600 4882

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