People join unions for safety, says survey

Concern over safety at work is a key reason for workers to join unions, according to the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC).

The STUC's Unions Work research shows that, after pay and conditions, concerns over the working environment are the most frequently given reason for joining a union.

The STUC says there is considerable evidence that unionised workplaces have significantly fewer workplace injuries than those without unions. It estimates that 280,000 workplace accidents have been prevented through the work of Scottish union health and safety reps since their introduction in the 1970s.