The union negotiates on pay and other terms of employment on your behalf. The resulting collective agreement for each industry sets out the minimum pay rates for the work that you do. This agreement also governs hours of work, sick pay, bonuses for overtime and shift work, and holiday entitlement.

The employees at a workplace will elect a representative or shop steward to bargain with the employer and to serve as a channel of communication between the employees and the employer. The shop steward will represent the employees in any dispute arising between the employer and the workforce.

The members of a trade union usually also belong to its unemployment fund. The fund pays earnings-related benefit to members who are out of work. This benefit is not means-tested (e.g. the income of your spouse is not considered), and is substantially higher than the basic rate of unemployment benefit.

Trade unions provide broad assistance in meeting the challenges of working life, ranging from legal aid to courses in foreign languages and information technology. You may find further details of these services on your union website or in its newsletter. Your union also provides various ways for you to get involved in social policymaking processes.

As large organisations of people in similar circumstances, trade unions are also able to negotiate and provide many other benefits for their members. Unions often offer reasonably priced holiday accommodation and other leisure benefits such as discounts on hotel room rates and cruises. Many unions have also negotiated member discounts on petrol pump prices, travel and other insurance, and retail banking services.