The UK’s trade unions overwhelmingly want the UK to stay in the EU to protect worker rights. The EU underpins a range of measure supporting workers’ rights, from setting maximum working hours and ensuring a minimum number of paid holidays, to protecting equality in the workplace. 

The leaders of 10 of the biggest trade unions, representing 6 million people, have written a letter citing maternity and paternity rights, equal treatment for full-time, part-time and agency workers, and the right to paid leave – as examples of EU rights that continue to underpin and protect the working rights of British people.

Frances O’Grady, general secretary of the Trade Union Congress (representing 52 trade unions), said: “A Brexit would have massive implications for jobs, rights, and the very fabric of the UK.” 

“If you take that floor away, workers will be worse off. It’s a hell of a gamble for those, who want to leave Europe, to depend on particularly the government we have now to protect the rights on which so many people’s working lives depend.”

#GetTheFacts – click on each organisation’s name to find out why they’re backing remain!

The Trade Union Congress (TUC), Unite, Unison, GMB, the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA), the Musicians’ Union, the Union of Shop Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW), the Broadcasting Entertainment and Cinematograph and Theatre Union (Bectu), the Communication Workers Union (CWU), Community, Equity, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), the Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians (UCATT), the National Union of Students (NUS), the National Union of Farmers (NUF) and the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) all want the UK to stay in the EU. 

Additional source:
Guardian letter: Trade union members should vote to stay in the EU