TUC general secretary celebrates ‘biggest increase’ in trade union membership ‘since records began’
Paul Nowak gave his keynote address to TUC Congress 2026
Trade unionists are gathering in Brighton this week for the annual Trades Union Congress (TUC). At the Congress, delegates are debating the trade union movement’s position on major issues facing workers and hearing keynote speeches from major figures in the labour movement.
One of those figures is Paul Nowak – the general secretary of the TUC. This morning (14 September), he gave his address to the Congress.
In it, he celebrated what he described as the ‘biggest increase since records began’ in trade union membership.
Nowak used a segment of his speech to highlight the recent achievements of the trade union movement. He told delegates: “Just look at what we’ve achieved in the past year.
“The Employment Rights Act – the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation. Eight million workers getting sick pay from day one. Anti-union legislation – repealed. The two-child benefit cap – scrapped. British Steel – nationalised. Railways – back in public ownership. Jobs in chemicals and ceramics – secured. Pay rises, back-pay and equal pay compensation – won. Durham Pride – defunded by Reform – saved by unions.”
Nowak then went on to celebrate the increase in trade union membership. He said: “Union membership – up. Not by a few thousand, not by 10,000, but by 192,000. The biggest increase since records began!”
Chris Jarvis is head of strategy and development at Left Foot Forward
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