Membership rise

An improved bargaining climate and effective workplace organisation helped increase the membership of civil service union IPMS to 74,785 by the end of 2000. During the year, 5,700 new members joined the union, pushing up net membership by 540.

IPMS recruitment efforts were split equally between "in-fill" areas, where the union is already established and organised, and new areas where recruitment teams and negotiators seek to build up membership before going for either voluntary or statutory recognition.

Head of recruitment Wendi Harrison said the results were down to "good organisation and workplace campaigning around issues that affect members and non-members alike."