Community work

Union reps are eight times more likely than others to engage in voluntary work, and give more of their time to community organisations.

The TUC’s Unions in the community: a survey of union reps shows that union reps are heavily involved in community activism, for example as school governors (8%) or members of the governing bodies of local organisations (5%). Around 19% are volunteers in local community organisations, and 20% spend up to five hours a week on community activities.

Just over a quarter of reps (27%) described themselves as religious, and many of these (84%) said that there was a definite link between their religious faith and their union activities, citing shared values such as compassion, justice and respect.