Northern Ireland unions

Trade union membership in Northern Ireland rose by around 6% in 1998, the latest year reported by the Northern Ireland certification officer, although this was partly attributed to the number of unions reporting figures to the office for the first time.

The total membership at 31 December 1998 was recorded as 243,764, 77% of whom belonged to unions based in Great Britain. Seventeen per cent were members of Northern Ireland unions and 6% of Republic of Ireland unions.

The Annual report of the Certification Officer for Northern Ireland 1999 also contains information on union political funds, officials' salaries and benefits, financial information; and on employers' associations. It is available from the Northern Ireland Certification Office for Trade Unions and Employers' Associations, 2-8 Gordon Street, Belfast BT1 2LG; tel: 028 90 237773, e-mail: [email protected]