5 benefits of joining a union

In case you missed it: recent data show that union membership has gone up by 12.3% in the past two years!

More workers are realising that joining your union is the best decision you can make for your working life (and beyond).

Ready to join the movement? Here are five of the top benefits of joining your union.

1. Higher pay

The median weekly wage earned by union members is $251 higher than non-members.

The difference is due to a variety of factors, but it’s mostly because union members have collective strength to push for higher wages (more of this in the next point).

It doesn’t mean that a union member will earn more than their coworker who is not a member, in the same job under the same employer. Nor does it mean that as soon as you join your union, your pay automatically goes up.

It means that union members generally have higher wages (than non-members), and workplaces or industries where lots of the workers are union members generally have higher rates of pay (than non-unionised workplaces or industries).

Being a union member gives you an advantage to getting paid more across all kinds of work. In fact, casual workers have the biggest difference in median hourly earnings: with members earning a whopping $11.29 more per hour than non-members.

2. Better conditions and entitlements

Collective bargaining is when workers negotiate an enterprise agreement with their employer, or even join together with other workers in their industry to negotiate with all their employers. This agreement usually covers wages, benefits, working conditions and other employment terms that the workers want to improve.

As a union member, you’ll be able to leverage collective strength and support to secure better terms than you could achieve on your own. Collective bargaining ensures workers get a fair share of the pie.

On an even bigger scale, our nation-wide movement is made up of almost two million workers coming together to collectively win big change – like huge improvements to the laws that determine our rights at work. Every member makes our movement bigger, stronger and louder.

3. Stronger job security

Another benefit of joining a union is increased job security, as well as stronger protections against unfair dismissal, workplace bullying and exploitation. Casual workers in particular have seen significant improvements in job security due to union members winning big changes to laws around casual employment.

Your union can help enforce the terms of your employment contract, ensuring that your employer does not take advantage of you. This can include support in disputes over hours and conditions or changes to job roles.

4. Better work-life balance

Did you know that it was building workers in Melbourne, Australia, who first won the 8-hour workday as an industry standard in 1856?

The union movement has always fought for better work-life balance. Being a union member is a great way achieve a more positive working life with fairer working hours, paid leave, flexible working arrangements and most recently, the right to disconnect from work.

5. Someone on your side – always

Being part of a union means you always have access to support, information, representation and legal advice. Whether your fellow members, your workplace delegate, or your union’s support services; there is always someone you can turn to and trust to have your back. You’re never alone when you’re a union member.

Psst… a bonus benefit

Your union membership fees are tax deductible!