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OVERVIEW CHANGING FACE OF UNION MEMBERSHIP
Page 41
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A recession is a bitter-sweet way for any union to get new members. And while many workers may join during a recession, others may be forced to leave.
A GMB spokesman admits that some might join if they feel their jobs are under threat, but adds that "in every recession so far, we have lost members because our members lost their jobs".
Overall, however, the GMB (the old General, Municipal and Boilermakers Union) is increasing the number of haulage companies in which it has members. This is largely because of the broader economic shift away from manufacturing and towards the service industries, including haulage.
"One of our faster-growing sectors is logistics," says the union spokesman.
So far, the total number of GMB members is going up rather than down. Its membership of 607,000 has risen by 14,000 in the past year, indicating that the union is consistently gaining more members than it loses.
The GMB has large blocks of driver members in particular companies, including DHL, AsdaNValmart, Wincanton and Safeway. But Unite, which includes the old Transport and General Workers Union, remains the largest union for drivers, and URTU is the only one dedicated to road transport.