Trade union official

Trade union officers help and support people at work. They look after employees’ interests, representing members who are faced with redundancy, disciplinary procedures or legal action. They advise and support members over issues such as unfair dismissal, health and safety and discrimination. They negotiate for improved pay and conditions, including holiday entitlement and maternity leave.

Also known as:

• Trade union officer
• Union official

Work activities

Trade union officers give advice when members of their union have a problem at work and represent them in negotiations with their employer over issues such as health and safety, pay and conditions, redundancy and discrimination. Union members usually elect someone to speak on their behalf - this could be a shop steward or office representative. These representatives pass on their views to the management and to full-time union officials. Most unions have branches to support local organisations. In larger organisations, there might be a union branch on the premises, staffed by elected or recruited officers (depending on the union). Very large organisations could have full-time officers on the premises.

Most full-time officers (union professionals) are organisers or field officers working in branch, district or regional offices. They cover an industry or area, helping elected office or workplace representatives, and often taking part in negotiations themselves. Officers travel around and might sometimes need to spend short periods away from home. A field officer might go with a union member to a disciplinary hearing at work, for example, or to an employment tribunal. Field officers organise, support and advise workplace representatives. They help local branches to recruit new members. Some also supervise clerical support staff. Other typical duties include attending and organising meetings, rallies and conferences.

National officers work in head offices alongside specialists in trade union affairs, including accountants, lawyers, researchers, and press and information officers. Duties include recruiting members to the union, managing union funds, public relations, organising training or conferences, general administration and dealing with the media. Some officers help to plan union policy and put it into practice. This could include political strategy. The work involves dealing with a wide variety of people, researching and analysing information and organising time effectively. Senior officers conduct collective negotiations at national level on behalf of all their union members.

Personal qualities and skills

As a trade union officer, you’ll need:

• Good communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills.
• A thorough knowledge of employment legislation.
• Good negotiating skills.
• To be able to build up good relationships with people.
• An understanding of management techniques.
• Leadership skills.
• Strong powers of reasoning and analysis.
• To be capable of motivating, advising and training workplace representatives.
• To use your initiative.
• A confident, outgoing nature.
• To be able to speak in front of groups of people.
• Administrative, planning and organisational abilities.
• To enjoy solving problems.

You should be passionate about wanting to help and support people at work and be committed to protecting their interests. You should also keep up to date with current employment issues. A respect for confidentiality is essential, as you will be dealing with sensitive and confidential issues.

Pay and opportunities

The pay rates given are approximate. Trade union officers earn in the range of £30,000 a year, rising to £80,000 for more senior regional or national officers.

They usually work office hours, Monday to Friday. However, during negotiations, late night and weekend work might be required.

There are relatively few paid officer posts in trade unions. Most officers start out as volunteer members, before applying for a full-time post. Some unions recruit outside the membership.

Employers are trade union organisations. Opportunities for trade union officers occur in regional offices, in towns and cities throughout the UK. National headquarters jobs tend to be in London, but some could be in other cities.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised on individual trade union websites and on the TUC website, in local/national newspapers, and on the Government’s Find a Job and Find an Apprenticeship services.

Entry routes and training

Most people begin by getting involved with a trade union, perhaps by getting elected to be a workplace representative, learning representative (helping other members to access training opportunities) or shop steward, or seeking election to a post within a local branch. These positions are usually voluntary and normally unpaid. Some people then decide to build up experience and expertise before seeking a paid post in the union (depending on how the union is structured). Training is provided by UnionLearn or the General Federation of Trade Unions. 

There are relatively few opportunities for paid work. For paid posts, some unions are increasingly recruiting graduates or people with professional qualifications. Especially in policy, research, education and other specialist posts, a relevant degree (for example, in law, politics or statistics, depending on the job role) might be required. Entry to a paid position might also be possible if you have relevant work experience, for example, in the voluntary or public sector, or have experience of tackling issues such as equal opportunities, economics, health and safety, or education and training.

A level 4 (higher) trade union official apprenticeship is offered by some unions.

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) offers a range of courses through UnionLearn, including some online courses. The TUC Organising Academy offers qualifications in organising, collective bargaining, communications and campaigns. A few colleges and universities offer relevant courses, including with part time/flexible and distance learning study options.

Trade union officers working at local or regional level could progress to national headquarters posts. Promotion or election to senior officer or executive level could be possible after further training and experience.

Qualifications

There are no formal minimum academic requirements for entry to this job, with most people beginning by getting involved with a trade union and then getting elected to be a workplace representative or shop steward. Unions are increasingly recruiting graduates to paid positions. For entry to a degree course in any subject, the usual requirements are:

• Two to three A-levels
• GCSEs at grades 9-4 in two to three other subjects. Alternatives to A-levels include:
• Edexcel (BTEC) level 3 National qualifications
• International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma.

However, course requirements vary so check prospectuses carefully. For research, education and other specialist posts, entrants might need a relevant degree in, for example, law or politics.

To qualify for a higher apprenticeship, you will need at least two A-levels in a relevant subject, plus GCSEs in maths and English. If you don’t have GCSEs, you may be able to take them while on your apprenticeship programme.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Many trade union officers and branch secretaries have a background in union and/or political membership and activity, including work as an unpaid shop steward or safety representative.

A range of training courses, including the union professional development programme, is offered through UnionLearn on a day-release, residential or short intensive basis, or online. Many unions run free courses. Some larger unions, such as UNISON, have their own education service, offering training courses for members.

Financial support for training is provided either by the TUC, individual unions or the General Federation of Trades Unions Educational Trust (GFTU). The GFTU administers the Educational Trust through which is offered a full programme of trade union education. Weekend, midweek and one-day courses are held at centres throughout the country and are free to delegates. A list of courses is available on the GFTU website. Some larger unions, such as UNISON, provide crèche and care cover for those in need, in order for them to attend tutorials.

Related careers

• Employee relations adviser
• Equality and diversity officer
• Human resources manager
• Politician