# List of trade unions in the United Kingdom

This is a list of trade unions in the United Kingdom formed under UK labour law. The criteria for being an independent trade union, free from employer influence and domination, are set out in the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 section 5. The body which oversees unions, and awards a certificate of independence for the purpose of collective bargaining is the Trades Union Certification Officer. For the context and history see Trade unions in the United Kingdom.

## Union confederations

* General Federation of Trade Unions (GFTU)
* Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC)
* Trades Union Congress (TUC)

## Independent unions

The following is a list of trade unions that are Certificated as independent by the Certification Officer, as of 14 July 2020.
| Name | G.S. | Est. | Members | Description | Const. | National Affiliation | International Affiliation |
| App Drivers & Couriers Union | James Farrar | 2015 | 7,082 | The ADCU objective is to organise and represent all app based transport workers whose work is predominately digitally intermediated. | | | IAATW |
| Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen | Mick Whelan | 1880 | 24,479 | ASLEF | | TUC, STUC Labour | ITUC |
| Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union | Sarah Woolley | 1847 | 14,377 | BFAWU | | TUC | ITUC |
| British Air Line Pilots Association | | 1935 | 14,530 | BALPA | | TUC | ITUC |
| British Medical Association | Mark Porter | 1832 | 162,346 | BMA | | |
| Communication Workers Union | Dave Ward | 1995 | 184,083 | The CWU was formed from a merger of the UCW and the NCU. | 2012 | TUC, STUC Labour | ITUC |
| Community | Roy Rickhuss CBE | 2004 | 43,865 | | | TUC, STUC, Labour | ITUC |
| Educational Institute of Scotland | Andrea Bradley | 1847 | 56,342 | The EIS represents teachers, college lecturers, university lecturers, instrumental music tutors, head teachers and educational psychologists working in Scotland. | | TUC, STUC | ITUC |
| Equity | Paul W. Fleming | 1930 | 46,683 | Actors, Stage Managers, Dancers, Variety performers, Creative workers | | TUC, STUC | ITUC |
| Fire Brigades Union | | 1918 | 33,743 | FBU | 2011 | TUC, STUC, Labour | ITUC |
| The FDA | | 1918 | 19,876 | Managers and professionals in the public service | | TUC, STUC | ITUC |
| GMB | Gary Smith | 1982 | 570,107 | Formed from General, Municipal, Boilermakers and Allied Trade Union, as a general workers' union. It includes the International Union of Sex Workers as a branch. | 2016 | TUC, STUC, Labour | ITUC |
| Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association | | 1944 | 3,137 | HCSA | | TUC | ITUC |
| Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain | Henry Chango Lopez | 2012 | 6,324 | IWGB | | |
| Industrial Workers of the World | | 1905 | 3,515 | IWW; Britain and Ireland region membership | current | | |
| Musicians' Union | | 1893 | 31,951 | MU | 2009 | TUC, STUC, Labour | ITUC |
| National Association of Probation Officers | | 1912 | 5,242 | NAPO | | TUC, GFTU | ITUC |
| National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers | Dr Patrick Roach | 1976 | 296,964 | NASUWT | 2016 | TUC, STUC | ITUC |
| National Union of Journalists | | 1907 | 24,528 | NUJ | | TUC, STUC | ITUC |
| National Union of Mineworkers | | 1945 | 82 | NUM has very few members, given the dismantling of the industry after the UK miners' strike (1984–1985). | | TUC, Labour | ITUC |
| National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers | Mick Lynch | 1990 | 81,197 | RMT was formerly the National Union of Railwaymen and National Union of Seamen, and absorbed the Offshore Industry Liaison Committee. | 2010 | TUC, STUC | ITUC, ITWF, WFTU |
| National Education Union | Daniel Kebede | 2017 | 445,601 | NEU, representing members in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, is the product of the recent merger between NUT and ATL | 2012 | TUC | ITUC |
| Nautilus International | | 1857 | 18,468 | A cross-border union for maritime professionals. Main offices are in London, Wallasey, Rotterdam and Basel. Previously known as NUMAST in the UK and FWZ in the Netherlands. | | TUC | ITUC |
| The POA: Professional Trades Union for Prison, Correctional and Secure Psychiatric Workers | | 1939 | 31,204 | POA | | TUC | ITUC |
| Professional Footballers' Association | | 1907 | 5,457 | PFA | | TUC, GFTU | ITUC |
| Prospect | Mike Clancy | 2001 | 154,715 | Engineering, scientific, management and professional staff. | 2013 | TUC, STUC | ITUC, ITWF |
| Public and Commercial Services Union | Fran Heathcote | 1998 | 191,289 | PCS | 2012 | TUC, STUC | ITUC, ITWF |
| Royal College of Nursing | Professor Nicola Ranger (Acting) | 1916 | 538,982 | Represents workers in nursing | 2012 | |
| Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists | Steve Jamieson | 1945 | 9,112 | SCP | | TUC | ITUC |
| Society of Radiographers | | 1920 | 33,250 | SoR | | TUC, STUC | ITUC |
| Transport Salaried Staffs' Association | Maryam Eslamdoust | 1897 | 18,142 | TSSA | 2011 | TUC, STUC, Labour | ITUC |
| Undeb Cenedlaethol Athrawon Cymru | | 1948 | 3,638 | UCAC; National Union of Teachers of Wales | | TUC | ITUC |
| Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers | Paddy Lillis | 1946 | 369,437 | USDAW | 2016 | TUC, STUC, Labour | ITUC |
| UNISON | Christina McAnea | 1993 | 1,210,250 | Formed from merging NALGO, NUPE and COHSE as a union for public services workers. | 2016 | TUC, STUC, Labour | ITUC |
| Unite the Union | Sharon Graham | 2007 | 1,246,429 | Formed in 2007 by a merger between Amicus and TGWU. Amicus was formerly AEEU and Manufacturing Science and Finance and Graphical, Paper and Media Union and UNIFI. UCATT merged in 2017. | 2015 | TUC, STUC, Labour | ITUC |
| United Voices of the World | | 2014 | 4,720 | UVW | | | ICL |
| University and College Union | Jo Grady | 2006 | 122,104 | UCU; amalgam of the AUT and NATFHE. | 2012 | TUC | ITUC |
| Voice | | 1970 | 19,711 | Formerly the Professional Association of Teachers, it refuses to take strike action. | | GFTU | |
| Writers' Guild of Great Britain | Sandi Toksvig president | 1959 | 2,860 | WGGB | | TUC, GFTU | ITUC |

### Other independent unions

* Accord
* Advance
* Affinity
* Artists' Union England
* Associated Train Crew Union
* Association for Clinical Biochemistry
* Association of Educational Psychologists
* Association of Local Authority Chief Executives
* Association of Revenue and Customs
* Association of School and College Leaders
* Britannia Staff Union
* British Association of Dental Nurses
* British Association of Journalists
* British Association of Occupational Therapists
* British Dental Association
* British Dietetic Association
* British Orthoptic Society
* Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
* Ellington Branch of the North East Area of the National Union of Mineworkers*
* FDA
* Fire Officers Association
* Guild of Professional Teachers of Dance, Movement to Music and Dramatic Arts
* Immigration Service Union (ISU)
* Independent Democratic Union
* Independent Pilots Association
* Institute of Journalists Trade Union
* International Transport Workers Federation*
* Leek United Building Society Staff Association
* National Association of Co-operative Officials
* National Association of Head Teachers
* National Association of NFU Group Secretaries
* National Association of Stable Staff
* National Crime Officers Association
* National Society for Education in Art and Design
* Nationwide Group Staff Union
* Pharmacists' Defence Association Union (PDA Union)
* PPU
* Prison Governors Association
* Retail Book Stationery and Allied Trades Employees Association
* Retained Firefighters Union
* Royal College of Midwives
* Sales Staff Association
* SKYSHARE
* Social Workers Union (SWU)
* Society of Authors
* Society of Union Employees (UNISON)
* Staff Union West Bromwich Building Society
* Union of Democratic Mineworkers
* United Road Transport Union
* VOICE
* Workers Uniting
* Workers of England Union
Scotland only
* Aegis the Union
* Association of Headteachers and Deputes in Scotland
* Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association
* United and Independent Union
Northern Ireland only
* Belfast Airport Police Association
* Financial Services Union
* Independent Workers Union
* Irish National Teachers' Organisation
* Lough Neagh Fishermen's Association
* Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance
* SIPTU (Services, Industrial, Professional & Technical Union)
* Ulster Teachers' Union

## Non-independent unions

The following is a list of trade unions that have not been certificated as independent by the Certification Officer 31 March 2017.
* App Drivers & Couriers Union (ADCU)
* Alliance for Finance
* ASPSU
* Association of Flight Attendants*
* Association of Somerset Inseminators
* Association of Trade Union Political and Public Sector Staff*
* Balfour Beatty Group Staff Association
* Blue Chip Staff Association
* Boots Pharmacists Association
* City Screen Staff Forum
* Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions*
* Criminal Justice Workers Union*
* Currys Supply Chain Staff Association
* Disabled Workers Union
* Employees Representatives*
* Employees United
* Federation of Entertainment Unions*
* G4S Care and Justice Services Staff Association
* General Federation of Trade Unions
* Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference
* Independent Workers Union of Great Britain
* Institute of Football Management and Administration
* International Transport Workers Federation*
* Leeds Building Society Colleague Association
* Leicestershire Overmen Deputies and Shotfirers Association
* Locum Doctors Association
* MyUnion
* National House Building Council Staff Association
* News Union
* North of England Zoological Society Staff Association
* Palm Paper Staff Association
* Professional Cricketers' Association
* Professional Footballers' Association
* Professional Footballers' Association Scotland*
* RSPB Staff Association
* Rugby Players Association
* Scottish Colliery Enginemen Boilermen and Tradesmens Association*
* Society of Local Council Clerks*
* Union of Country Sports Workers
* United Voices of the World
* Warwick International Staff Association
* Welsh Rugby Players Association
Scotland only
* Association of College Staff Scotland
* Independent Federation of Nursing in Scotland
* Professional Footballers' Association Scotland*
* Scottish Artists Union
* Scottish Colliery Enginemen Boilermen and Tradesmens Association*
Northern Ireland
* IMPACT

## Historical unions

* Altogether Builders' Labourers and Constructional Workers' Society
* Amalgamated Association of Carters and Motormen
* Amalgamated Carters, Lorrymen and Motormen's Union
* Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Union (AEEU)
* Amalgamated Marine Workers' Union (AMWU)
* Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners (ASCJ)
* Amalgamated Society of Engineers, Machinists, Millwrights, Smiths and Pattern Makers (ASE)
* Amalgamated Society of Foremen Lightermen of River Thames
* Amalgamated Society of Watermen, Lightermen and Bargemen
* Associated Horsemen's Union
* Association of Cinematograph Television and Allied Technicians (ACTT, now in BECTU)
* Association of Coastwise Masters, Mates and Engineers
* Association of University Teachers AUT
* Association of Principal Fire Officers
* Association of Professional Ambulance Personnel
* Belfast Breadservers' Association
* Belfast Journeymen Butchers' Association
* Belfast Operative Bakers' Union
* British Association of Colliery Management
* British Seafarers' Union (BSU)
* Broadcasting, Entertainment, Cinematograph and Theatre Union
* Burnley, Nelson, Rossendale and District Textile Workers' Union
* Cardiff, Penarth and Barry Coal Trimmers' Union
* Chemical Workers' Union
* Civil and Public Services Association (CPSA)
* Community and Youth Workers' Union
* Confederation of Health Service Employees (COHSE)
* Connect (???–2010) (now in Prospect)
* Cumberland Enginemen, Boilermen and Electrical Workers' Union
* Dock, Wharf, Riverside and General Labourers' Union (DWRGLU)
* Dundee Pilots
* Electricity Supply Staff Association (Dublin)
* Federation of Professional Railway Staff
* File Grinders' Society
* Gibraltar Apprentices and Ex-Apprentices Union
* Gibraltar Confederation of Labour
* Gibraltar Labour Trades Union
* Government Civil Employees' Association
* Grangemouth Pilots' Association
* Greenock Sugar Porters' Association
* Grimsby Steam and Diesel Fishing Vessels Engineers' and Firemen's Union
* Halifax and District Carters' and Motormen's Association
* Humber Amalgamated Steam Trawlers' Engineers, and Firemen's Union
* Imperial War Graves Commission Staff Association
* Institution of Professional Civil Servants
* Irish Mental Hospital Workers' Union
* Irish Union of Hairdressers and Allied Workers
* Iron and Steel Trades Confederation (ISTC)
* Iron, Steel and Wood Barge Builders and Helpers Association
* Labour Protection League
* Leith and Granston Pilots
* Liverpool and District Carters' and Motormen's Union
* London Co-operative Mutuality Club Collectors' Association
* Lurgan Hemmers' Veiners' and General Workers' Union
* Manchester Ship Canal Pilots' Association
* Manufacturing Science and Finance (MSF)
* Methil Pilots
* National Amalgamated Coal Workers' Union
* National Amalgamated Labourers' Union
* National Amalgamated Stevedores' and Dockers' Society
* National Amalgamated Union of Enginemen, Firemen, Mechanics, Motormen and Electrical Workers
* National Association of Colliery Overmen, Deputies and Shotfirers
* National Association of Colliery Overmen, Deputies and Shotfirers (South Wales Area)
* National Association of Local Government Officers (NALGO, now in UNISON)
* National Association of Operative Plasterers
* National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education NATFHE (www.natfhe.org.uk). Now amalgamated into the University and College Union (www.ucu.org.uk), along with the AUT
* National Association of Youth Hostel Wardens
* National Federation of SubPostmasters
* National Glass Bottle Makers' Society
* National Glass Workers' Trade Protection Association
* National Union of British Fishermen
* National Union of Agricultural and Allied Workers
* National Union of Civil and Public Servants (NUCPS)
* National Union of Co-operative Insurance Society Employees
* National Union of Dock Labourers (NUDL)
* National Union of Docks, Wharves and Shipping Staffs
* National Union of Dyers, Bleachers and Textile Workers
* National Union of Knitwear, Footwear & Apparel Trades (KFAT)
* Miners' Federation of Great Britain
* National Union of Public Employees (NUPE)
* National Union of Railwaymen (NUR)
* National Union of Seamen (NUS)
* National Union of Shale Miners and Oil Workers
* National Union of Ships' Clerks, Grain Weighers and Coalmeters
* National Union of Ship's Stewards (NUSSCBB)
* National Union of Vehicle Builders
* National Union of Vehicle Workers
* National Winding and General Engineers' Society
* North of England Engineers' and Firemen's Amalgamation
* North of England Trimmers' and Teemers Association
* North of Ireland Operative Butchers' and Allied Workers' Association
* North of Scotland Horse and Motormen's Association
* North Wales Craftsmen and General Workers' Union
* North Wales Quarrymen's Union
* Northern Carpet Trades Union
* Northern Ireland Textile Workers' Union
* Northern Textile and Allied Workers' Union
* Operative Bricklayers' Society (OBS)
* Port of Liverpool Staff Association
* Port of London Deal Porters' Union
* Portadown Textile Workers' Union
* Power Loom Tenters' Trade Union of Ireland
* Process and General Workers' Union
* Radcliffe and District Enginemen and Boilermen's Provident Society
* Scottish Busmen's Union
* Scottish Commercial Motormen's Union
* Scottish Farm Servants' Association
* Scottish Primary Teachers' Association (2011–2012)
* Scottish Seafishers' Union
* Scottish Slaters, Tilers, Roofers and Cement Workers' Society
* Scottish Textile Workers' Union
* Scottish Transport and General Workers' Union (Docks)
* Scottish Union of Dock Labourers (SUDL)
* Sheffield Amalgamated Union of File Trades
* Shield Guarding Staff Association
* Staff Association for Royal Automobile Club Employees
* Staff Association of Bank of Baroda (UK Region)
* SURGE (Skipton Union Representing Group Employees)
* Technical, Administrative and Supervisory Section, now part of Amicus
* Union of Bookmakers Employees
* Union of Kodak Workers
* United Cut Nail Makers of Great Britain Protection Society
* UFS
* United Fishermen's Union
* United Order of General Labourers
* United Vehicle Workers
* Unity
* Watermen, Lightermen, Tugmen and Bargemen's Union
* Weaver Watermen's Association
* Whatman Staff Association
* Workers' Union
* Yorkshire Independent Staff Association