FEMALES are flocking to join trade unions at a rate of knots and are now more likely to be members than men, new Government figures suggest. Statistics published by the Department of Trade and Industry show that 29.9 per cent of women workers were union m
FEMALES are flocking to join trade unions at a rate of knots and are now more likely to be members than men, new Government figures suggest.
Statistics published by the Department of Trade and Industry show that 29.9 per cent of women workers were union members last year, compared to just 28.2 per cent of men.
Overall membership fell by 119,000 to 6.39m, although the benefits of signing up appear to be crystal clear: members' average pay was £11.98 an hour - 17.6 per cent higher than non-union colleagues who averaged a mere £10.19.
TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said job losses in manufacturing had hit union membership among men.
The report reveals that the rate of trade union membership among women lifted overall union density in the UK to 29 per cent of employees.
It also shows a marked divide between public and private sector employee membership - 58.6 per cent compared to just 17.2 per cent.
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