List of trade unions in the United Kingdom
This is a list of trade unions in the United Kingdom formed under UK labour law. The criteria for being an independent trade union, free from employer influence and domination, are set out in Section 5 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992. The body which oversees unions, and awards a certificate of independence for the purpose of collective bargaining is the Trades Union Certification Officer. For the context and history see Trade unions in the United Kingdom.
Union confederations
- Trades Union Congress
- Scottish Trades Union Congress
- General Federation of Trade Unions
- Irish Congress of Trade Unions
Trade unions
The following is a list of trade unions as designated by the Certification Officer, as of 20 December 2025:| Name | Year est. | Independence Status | Number of members | Key sectors | National affiliation | International affiliation |
| Accord | 1978 | Independent | 21,451 | Finance / banking | ||
| Advance | 1977 | Independent | 5,512 | Finance / banking | ||
| Aegis the Union | 1971 | Independent | 4,093 | Finance / insurance | ||
| Affinity | 1980 | Independent | 18,574 | Finance / banking | - | - |
| App Drivers and Couriers Union | 2015 | Independent | 9,205 | Private transport / gig economy | ||
| Artists' Union England | 2014 | Independent | 1,200 | Entertainment and the arts / museums and art galleries | ||
| Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen | 1880 | Independent | 24,782 | Transportation / trains | ||
| Association for Laboratory Medicine | 1952 | Cannot confirm | 1,407 | Healthcare science / clinical scientists | - | - |
| Association of Educational Psychologists | 1962 | Independent | 4,256 | Education / psychologists | ||
| Association of Flight Attendants | 1945 | Cannot confirm | 328 | Aviation / cabin crew | ||
| Association of Headteachers and Deputes in Scotland | 1975 | Cannot confirm | 2,774 | Education | - | - |
| Association of Local Authority Chief Executives | 1976 | Cannot confirm | 350 | Local government | - | - |
| Association of Local Council Clerks | 2016 | Cannot confirm | 761 | Local government | - | - |
| Association of Revenue and Customs | 2005 | Independent | 2,676 | HMRC staff | - | |
| Association of School and College Leaders | 2006 | Cannot confirm | 24,778 | Education | - | - |
| Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union | 1847 | Independent | 14,645 | Food production / hospitality / catering | ||
| British Air Line Pilots Association | 1937 | Independent | 14,375 | Civil aviation / air transport | ||
| British Association of Dental Nurses | 1940 | Independent | 4,585 | Healthcare | - | - |
| British Association of Journalists | 1992 | Independent | 731 | Media / journalism | - | - |
| British Association of Occupational Therapists | 1932 | Independent | 36,015 | Healthcare | - | |
| British Dental Association | 1880 | Independent | 15,698 | Healthcare | - | - |
| British Dietetic Association | 1936 | Independent | 11,656 | Healthcare | ||
| British Medical Association | 1832 | Independent | 194,147 | Healthcare | - | - |
| British Orthoptic Society Trade Union | 1937 | Independent | 1,511 | Healthcare | - | |
| Cabin Crew Union | 2019 | Cannot confirm | 278 | Aviation | - | - |
| Care Workers Union | 2025 | Non-independent | Not publicly available | Social care | - | - |
| Chartered Society of Physiotherapy | 1894 | Independent | 65,165 | Healthcare | ||
| Cleaners and Allied Independent Workers Union | 2016 | Independent | 1,830 | Cleaning / facilities | - | - |
| Cleaners Union | 2025 | Non-independent | Not publicly available | Cleaning | - | - |
| Communication Workers Union | 1995 | Independent | 170,324 | Communications / postal / telecoms / finance | ||
| Community | 2004 | Independent | 43,595 | General membership | ||
| Confederation of British Surgery | 2017 | Cannot confirm | 450 | Healthcare | - | - |
| Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions | 1890 | N/A | 4 unions | Engineering / shipbuilding / defence | - | |
| Criminal Justice Workers Union | 2020 | Independent | 1,796 | Prisons / probation / detention | - | - |
| Currys Trade Union | 2007 | Independent | 2,601 | Retail - electronics | - | - |
| Driver and General Union | 2014 | Cannot confirm | 1,193 | Transport - drivers / logistics | - | - |
| Educational Institute of Scotland | 1847 | Independent | 58,566 | Education - teachers / lecturers | ||
| Empower the Workers' Union | 2023 | Non-independent | 271 | General membership | - | - |
| Employees General Union | 2012 | Non-independent | 27 | General membership | - | - |
| Employees United | 2011 | Non-independent | 232 | General membership | - | - |
| Equal Justice the Union | 2021 | Non-independent | 145 | General membership | - | - |
| Equality for Workers Union | 2014 | Independent | 3,972 | General membership | - | - |
| Equity | 1930 | Independent | 48,606 | Entertainment / performing arts | ||
| FDA | 1919 | Independent | 24,422 | Public sector - civil service / manager / professionals | ||
| Financial Services Union | 1918 | Independent | 8,651 | Finance / banking | ICTU | - |
| Fire and Rescue Services Association | 1976 | Independent | 1,604 | Firefighters | - | - |
| Fire Brigades Union | 1918 | Independent | 33,717 | Emergency services - firefighters / fire control staff | ||
| Fire Officers' Association | 1995 | Independent | 780 | Emergency services - fire officer / managers | - | - |
| G4S Care and Justice Services Staff Association | 1999 | Non-independent | 1,080 | Private security / prisons / detention | - | - |
| GMB | 1924 | Independent | 571,497 | General membership | ||
| Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association | 1944 | Independent | 2,894 | Healthcare - hospital doctors | ||
| Independent Federation of Nursing in Scotland | 1995 | Cannot confirm | 395 | Healthcare - nurses | - | - |
| Independent Oxfam Union | 2024 | Cannot confirm | 105 | Charity / NGO | - | - |
| Independent Pilots Association | 1992 | Independent | 1,020 | Aviation | - | - |
| Independent Workers' Union of Great Britain | 2012 | Independent | 7,380 | General membership - precarious/migrant workers | - | |
| Industrial Workers of the World | 1905 | Independent | 3,332 | General membership | - | - |
| International Transport Workers' Federation | 1896 | Cannot confirm | 730 | Transport | - | - |
| ISU | 1981 | Independent | 3,080 | Public sector - immigration / border services | - | - |
| Leeds Building Society Colleague Association | 2010 | Non-independent | 1,356 | Finance - building society staff | - | |
| Libertas | 2024 | Non-independent | Not publicly available | General membership | - | - |
| Locum Doctors' Association | 2005 | Cannot Confirm | 447 | Healthcare - locum doctors | - | - |
| Musicians' Union | 1893 | Independent | 34,563 | Entertainment | ||
| NAPO | 1912 | Independent | 6,345 | Public sector - probabtion and family courts | ||
| National Association of Head Teachers | 1897 | Independent | 49,785 | Education - senior staff | ||
| National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers | 1976 | Independent | 259,079 | Education - teachers | ||
| National Association of Racing Staff | 1975 | Independent | 7,809 | Stable staff / racing grooms | ||
| National Crime Officers Association | 2013 | Independent | 3,666 | Public sector - law enforcement | - | - |
| National Education Union | 2017 | Independent | 487,420 | Education - teachers / lecturers | ||
| National Employees Union | 2023 | Non-independent | Not publicly available | General Union | - | - |
| National House Building Council Staff Association | 1974 | Independent | 869 | Construction / housing | - | - |
| National Society for Education in Art and Design | 1888 | Independent | 3,085 | Education - art and design teachers | ||
| National Union of Journalists | 1907 | Independent | 23,066 | Journalists / media workers | ||
| National Union of Mineworkers | 1945 | Independent | 196 | Mining | ||
| National Union of Mineworkers - South Wales Area | 1945 | Independent | 73 | Mining | NUM | - |
| National Union of Professional Foster Carers | 2021 | Independent | 1,735 | Social care - foster carers | - | - |
| National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers | 1990 | Independent | 80,521 | Transport - rail / maritime / public transport | ||
| Nationwide Group Staff Union | 1990 | Independent | 12,361 | Finance | ||
| Nautilus International | 2009 | Independent | 19,089 | Transport - maritime officers / seafarers | ||
| News Union | 2000 | Cannot confirm | 1,299 | Journalists / boradcasters | - | - |
| North of England Zoological Society Staff Association | 2006 | Non-independent | 902 | Chester Zoo staff | - | - |
| Palm Paper Staff Association | 2008 | Non-independent | 117 | Manufacturing - paper industry | - | - |
| Pharmacists' Defence Association Union | 2008 | Independent | 38,024 | Healthcare - pharmacists | - | |
| POA: Professional Trades Union for Prison, Correctional and Secure Psychiatric Workers | 1939 | Independent | 36,715 | Public sector - prison and secure facility staff | ||
| Prison Governors Association | 1987 | Independent | 1,079 | Public sector - prison management | - | - |
| Professional Cricketers' Association | 1967 | Independent | 534 | Sport -professional cricket players | - | |
| Professional Footballers' Association | 1907 | Independent | 5,834 | Sport - professional football players | ||
| Professional Footballers' Association Scotland | 2007 | Independent | 1,618 | Sport - professional football players | ||
| Prospect | 2001 | Independent | 156,904 | General professional & technical - civil service / energy /engineering / heritage / telecoms | ||
| Public and Commercial Services Union | 1998 | Independent | 189,399 | Public sector - civil service and government agencies | ||
| Psychotherapy and Counselling Union | 2016 | Cannot confirm | 962 | Healthcare - psychotherapy and counselling professionals | - | |
| Retail Book Association | 1919 | Independent | 706 | Retail - book and stationery staff | - | - |
| Royal College of Midwives | 1881 | Independent | 48,568 | Healthcare - midwives | ||
| Royal College of Nursing | 1916 | Independent | 589,717 | Healthcare - nurses | - | - |
| Royal College of Podiatry | 1945 | Independent | 8,736 | Healthcare - podiatrists / chiropodists | ||
| RSPB Staff Association | 1978 | Independent | 1,216 | Charityworkers | - | - |
| Rugby Players' Association | 1998 | Independent | 590 | Sport - professional rugby players | - | - |
| Sales Staff Association | 1988 | Independent | 209 | Manufacturing / tobacco | - | - |
| Scottish Artists Union | 2001 | Independent | 2,458 | Arts and culture | - | |
| Scottish Secondary Teachers Association | 1944 | Independent | 5,966 | Education - secondary school teachers | - | |
| Security Industry Federation | 2023 | Cannot confirm | 405 | Private security workers | - | |
| Skyshare | 2011 | Non-independent | 635 | Netjets Europe flight and cabin crew | - | - |
| Social Workers Union | 2011 | Independent | 15,335 | Social workers | - | |
| Society of Authors | 1884 | Independent | 12,390 | Authors / literary professionals | - | |
| Society of Radiographers | 1920 | Independent | 33,971 | Radiographers | ||
| Society of Union Employees | 1977 | Independent | 434 | Trade Union Workers | - | - |
| Solidarity | 2005 | Cannot confirm | 185 | General Union | - | - |
| Solid Trade Union | 2022 | Independent | 15 | General union for employees in the North West of England | - | - |
| Stage Directors UK Union | 2015 | Cannot confirm | 471 | Directors | - | - |
| Trade Union for Ethnic Minority Social Workers | 2021 | Cannot confirm | Not publicly available | General union for ethnic minority social workers | - | - |
| Trades Union Congress | 1868 | N/A | 48 | Trade union confederation | ||
| Transport Salaried Staffs' Association | 1897 | Independent | 17,025 | Transport workers | ||
| UK Private Hire Drivers Union | 2020 | Independent | 891 | Private hire drivers | - | |
| United Medical Associate Professionals Trade Union | 2025 | Independent | Not publicly available | Physician associates / anaesthesia associates / surgical care practitioners | - | - |
| Undeb Cenedlaethol Athrawon Cymru (National Association of Teachers of Wales) | 1948 | Independent | 3,644 | Education | ||
| Union of General and Volunteer Unions | 2019 | Cannot confirm | 354 | Voluntary workers | - | - |
| Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers | 1947 | Independent | 368,563 | Shop workers | ||
| Union Workers' Union | 2019 | Cannot confirm | 212 | Trade union workers | - | - |
| Unison | 1993 | Independent | 1,438,132 | Public service workers | ||
| Unite the Union | 2007 | Independent | 1,177,292 | General union for private sector workers | ||
| United Road Transport Union | 1890 | Independent | 7,557 | Transportation / distribution | ||
| United Voices of the World | 2014 | Independent | 3,881 | Low paid, precarious and migrant workers | - | - |
| University and College Union | 2006 | Independent | 119,785 | Education | ||
| Union of Pilots, Engineers and Cabin Crew | 2023 | Cannot confirm | 206 | Aviation | - | - |
| Walgas | 2019 | Independent | 113 | General trade union | - | - |
| Warwick International Staff Association | 2004 | Cannot confirm | 82 | Warwick Chemicals employees | - | - |
| Welsh Rugby Players Association | 2003 | Cannot confirm | 116 | Welsh rugby players | - | - |
| Women's Rugby Association | 2021 | Cannot confirm | 125 | Women rugby players | - | - |
| Workers of England Union | 1970 | Cannot confirm | 8,862 | General trade union | - | - |
| Writers' Guild of Great Britain | 1959 | Independent | 3,074 | Writing | ||
| Yourmate Union | 2022 | Cannot confirm | Not publicly available | General trade union | - | - |
Historical unions
- Altogether Builders' Labourers and Constructional Workers' Society
- Amalgamated Association of Carters and Motormen
- Amalgamated Carters, Lorrymen and Motormen's Union
- Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Union
- Amalgamated Marine Workers' Union
- Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners
- Amalgamated Society of Engineers, Machinists, Millwrights, Smiths and Pattern Makers
- Amalgamated Society of Foremen Lightermen of River Thames
- Amalgamated Society of Watermen, Lightermen and Bargemen
- Associated Horsemen's Union
- Association of Cinematograph Television and Allied Technicians
- Association of Coastwise Masters, Mates and Engineers
- Association of University Teachers AUT
- Association of Principal Fire Officers
- Association of Professional Ambulance Personnel
- Belfast Breadservers' Association
- Belfast Journeymen Butchers' Association
- Belfast Operative Bakers' Union
- British Association of Colliery Management
- British Seafarers' Union
- Broadcasting, Entertainment, Cinematograph and Theatre Union
- Burnley, Nelson, Rossendale and District Textile Workers' Union
- Cardiff, Penarth and Barry Coal Trimmers' Union
- Chemical Workers' Union
- Civil and Public Services Association
- Community and Youth Workers' Union
- Confederation of Health Service Employees
- Connect
- Cumberland Enginemen, Boilermen and Electrical Workers' Union
- Dock, Wharf, Riverside and General Labourers' Union
- Dundee Pilots
- Electricity Supply Staff Association (Dublin)
- Federation of Professional Railway Staff
- File Grinders' Society
- Gibraltar Apprentices and Ex-Apprentices Union
- Gibraltar Confederation of Labour
- Gibraltar Labour Trades Union
- Government Civil Employees' Association
- Grangemouth Pilots' Association
- Greenock Sugar Porters' Association
- Grimsby Steam and Diesel Fishing Vessels Engineers' and Firemen's Union
- Halifax and District Carters' and Motormen's Association
- Humber Amalgamated Steam Trawlers' Engineers, and Firemen's Union
- Imperial War Graves Commission Staff Association
- Institution of Professional Civil Servants
- Irish Mental Hospital Workers' Union
- Irish Union of Hairdressers and Allied Workers
- Iron and Steel Trades Confederation
- Iron, Steel and Wood Barge Builders and Helpers Association
- Labour Protection League
- Leith and Granston Pilots
- Liverpool and District Carters' and Motormen's Union
- London Co-operative Mutuality Club Collectors' Association
- Lurgan Hemmers' Veiners' and General Workers' Union
- Manchester Ship Canal Pilots' Association
- Manufacturing Science and Finance
- Methil Pilots
- National Amalgamated Coal Workers' Union
- National Amalgamated Labourers' Union
- National Amalgamated Stevedores' and Dockers' Society
- National Amalgamated Union of Enginemen, Firemen, Mechanics, Motormen and Electrical Workers
- National Association of Colliery Overmen, Deputies and Shotfirers
- National Association of Colliery Overmen, Deputies and Shotfirers (South Wales Area)
- National Association of Local Government Officers
- National Association of Operative Plasterers
- National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education NATFHE. Now amalgamated into the University and College Union, along with the AUT
- National Association of Youth Hostel Wardens
- National Federation of SubPostmasters
- National Glass Bottle Makers' Society
- National Glass Workers' Trade Protection Association
- National Union of British Fishermen
- National Union of Agricultural and Allied Workers
- National Union of Civil and Public Servants
- National Union of Co-operative Insurance Society Employees
- National Union of Dock Labourers
- National Union of Docks, Wharves and Shipping Staffs
- National Union of Dyers, Bleachers and Textile Workers
- National Union of Knitwear, Footwear & Apparel Trades
- Miners' Federation of Great Britain
- National Union of Public Employees
- National Union of Railwaymen
- National Union of Seamen
- National Union of Shale Miners and Oil Workers
- National Union of Ships' Clerks, Grain Weighers and Coalmeters
- National Union of Ship's Stewards
- National Union of Vehicle Builders
- National Union of Vehicle Workers
- National Winding and General Engineers' Society
- North of England Engineers' and Firemen's Amalgamation
- North of England Trimmers' and Teemers Association
- North of Ireland Operative Butchers' and Allied Workers' Association
- North of Scotland Horse and Motormen's Association
- North Wales Craftsmen and General Workers' Union
- North Wales Quarrymen's Union
- Northern Carpet Trades Union
- Northern Ireland Textile Workers' Union
- Northern Textile and Allied Workers' Union
- Operative Bricklayers' Society
- Port of Liverpool Staff Association
- Port of London Deal Porters' Union
- Portadown Textile Workers' Union
- Power Loom Tenters' Trade Union of Ireland
- Process and General Workers' Union
- Radcliffe and District Enginemen and Boilermen's Provident Society
- Scottish Busmen's Union
- Scottish Commercial Motormen's Union
- Scottish Farm Servants' Association
- Scottish Primary Teachers' Association
- Scottish Seafishers' Union
- Scottish Slaters, Tilers, Roofers and Cement Workers' Society
- Scottish Textile Workers' Union
- Scottish Transport and General Workers' Union (Docks)
- Scottish Union of Dock Labourers
- Sheffield Amalgamated Union of File Trades
- Shield Guarding Staff Association
- Staff Association for Royal Automobile Club Employees
- Staff Association of Bank of Baroda (UK Region)
- SURGE
- Technical, Administrative and Supervisory Section, now part of Amicus
- Union of Bookmakers Employees
- Union of Kodak Workers
- United Cut Nail Makers of Great Britain Protection Society
- UFS
- United Fishermen's Union
- United Order of General Labourers
- United Vehicle Workers
- Unity
- Watermen, Lightermen, Tugmen and Bargemen's Union
- Weaver Watermen's Association
- Whatman Staff Association
- Workers' Union
- Yorkshire Independent Staff Association