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What is the structure of trade unions?

Trade unions are democratic organisations which are accountable to their members for their policies and actions. Unions are normally modelled on the following structure:

• Members - people who pay a subscription to belong to a union
• Shop stewards - sometimes called union representatives - who are elected by members of the union to represent them to management
• Branches - which support union members in different organisations locally. There is usually a branch secretary who is elected by local members
• District and/or regional offices - these are usually staffed by full time union officials. These are people who are paid to offer advice and support to union members locally
• A national office - the union's headquarters which offers support to union members and negotiates or campaigns for improvements to their working conditions. At the top of the organisation there is usually a General Secretary and a National Executive Committee, elected by the union's members.

Unions structure diagram

Union Members
Shop Stewards (Union Representatives)
Branches
District and Regional Offices
National Office

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