Izzy Lepone 20 June 2025

Union gains influx of members from Reform-run councils

Union gains influx of members from Reform-run councils image
© Richard Oldroyd / Shutterstock.com.

Membership rates for Unison trade union have increased by 205% across Reform-run councils.

From the week preceding the recent local elections to the week after the polls closed, Unison membership rates rose by roughly 167% across the 10 local authorities Reform UK gained control of.

The figures reveal the largest surge in union support across Durham, Staffordshire and Kent.

Christina McAnea, Unison's general secretary said: ‘Unions exist to ensure no one can play fast and loose with the law. Any staff working for councils now controlled by Reform, and who aren’t already in UNISON, should sign up to give them extra peace of mind.

‘A party that's voted consistently against modest measures to improve working conditions and threatened to sack council staff at the earliest opportunity doesn't give confidence to working people.’

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