The Benefits of Trade Unions

It’s difficult enough keeping track of VOSA rules and regulations and keeping a running tally on your driving time without having to be concerned about negotiating wages and working conditions with your employer. Fortunately there are a number of road haulage unions in the UK who will handle negotiations for you.

The general purpose of a union is to have an organization that will give a voice to drivers through advocating for better wages, improved working conditions, and health/safety standards. Additionally unions have members on staff whose job it is to lobby for its members in the political arena. So if there is a law about to be voted on that could greatly benefit the trucking industry a union representative will be heavily lobbying for the law to pass.

How to Choose the Right Union

One of the best ways to choose a union is to find out if your employer has one particular labour union that they recognize. If it is the case that your employer already recognizes a union that would be the best choice for you as it would greatly simplify negotiations. If your employer does not have a union that it officially recognizes your next best option is to choose an organization that most of your coworkers are in; this will guarantee you strength in numbers. If your coworkers are fairly evenly spread throughout the different unions simply choose a union that has members with jobs similar to yours.

Haulage Unions

Below is a list of the most prevalent haulage unions in the UK.
Transport and General Workers Union
This is the largest Union in Britain with over 2 million members.This union is more generalized as far as the members it includes.

Contact Info
Web: https://www.unitetheunion.org/default.aspx
Telephone: 020 7611 2500

International Road Transport Union
This Union is for freight carriers.

Contact Info
Web: http://www.iru.org
Telephone: 41-22-918 20 51

United Road Transport Union
This is one of the smallest unions as it has not done any mergers like the larger unions have.This union is for road transport workers only.

Contact Info
Web: http://www.urtu.com