Learn about Accord membership | Member benefits

Benefits of being an Accord member

As a member of Accord you've joined an extended family with over 21,000 other members! Our members trust us to work on their behalf to improve conditions, negotiate pay and so much more. These are some of the things that we do for our members:

Higher pay, better work benefits

Working people standing together and collectively negotiating with employers means that union members generally get:

higher rates of pay and annual pay rises
better sick pay
more holidays
improved access to flexible working arrangements
plus, many other policy provisions improved beyond legal minimum requirements like maternity, paternity and adoption pay and leave

This is because unions negotiate with employers, rather than leaving it to managers to decide.

For over 45 years, Accord has been achieving improvements for members. All through constructive dialogue with your employer.

Throughout the year, our team of experienced negotiators talk to your employer about policies and procedures that govern the way you're treated at work. Things like better parental leave and pay policies, how performance is managed and how issues are resolved fairly. We demand first class safety in the workplace - our record and your employer's treatment of workers during the Covid-19 pandemic speaks for itself.

Safer & healthier working life

Unions tackle the causes of ill health at work, not just the symptoms. That means lower accident and injury rates, less stress and better understanding and support for those with mental health problems. Every year, unions collectively train 10,000 workers in health & safety.

Workplaces are safer where there's a strong union presence - you only need to look at the responses of unionised workplaces during the Covid-19 pandemic. Trained reps spot unsafe working practices and cut accident rates. That’s why workplaces with union representation have significantly lower injury rates. That's a fact.

Accord works constructively with employers to negotiate safe working practices and to make sure you're always treated with dignity and respect.

We champion inclusion and diversity. Dignity at work is one of our key goals, and we work alongside employers—and you—to find empathetic solutions to workplace issues.

Support at work

We genuinely hope your employment is happy and fulfilling. But should you run into problems, Accord has your back.

Every year, we support thousands of members who have run into problems at work - from smaller issues like getting holiday approved, to more significant challenges like facing disciplinary action. We make sure you're treated fairly – without you having to worry about paying for legal support. Whether the problem is with employment contracts, harassment, redundancy, pensions or discrimination - your union will be there to help you.

In 2024, we supported more than 600 members in formal meetings - that's roughly 12 colleagues every week who might otherwise have had to handle tough situations on their own.

Our dedicated, skilled team of officers and legal advisers are really accessible. They provide individual advice, support and representation at grievance, health wellbeing & attendance, performance, or disciplinary meetings, and are on hand to talk you through any other work-related matter that crops up.

Strength comes from solidarity. We have over 350 workplace reps who are well-trained, approachable, and ready to offer advice and guidance. Supported by Accord's professional team, they ensure you have both local and expert support whenever you need it.

Additional perks of membership

There are many additional benefits that come with your Accord union membership which provide you extra value for your money. Here's a list of the membership benefits and links to get further information.

Private healthcare cashback
Lifelong learning fund
Subscription draw
Accord travel club
Legal services
Will writing
Commission cashback
Free subs while on maternity / parental leave

You can find more about the additional perks of membership on this page below.

Our voice is louder and stronger when we join together. That's why workers join a union. And that's why many in Lloyds Banking Group and TSB join Accord.

You'll find more about the benefits of being an Accord member and the additional perks of joining below.

Support at work

Although we hope you never run into an issue during your employment, sometimes things do unfortunately crop up from time to time. We’ll be there when you need someone on your side.

Accord members benefit from confidential, professional advice on any work-related issue. We have a dedicated and experienced team of advisers. Should you need it, we provide contact details for your local Accord officer who is on hand to assist you.

We also negotiate collective agreements that determine your pay, terms and conditions and how you’re treated at work. Our collective voice is strong and our agreements some of the best in the industry.

Get support & guidance

Find local support

Your questions answered

When you join Accord, you're joining more than just a union - you're joining an extended family with 21,000 other members!

Accord has around 400 trained workplace representatives who complement our professional officers across the country who are there to help when things aren't going so well. Reps are the beating heart of the union, and often the first port of call offering advice, guidance, information and representation.

Accord is a grown-up, modern trade union that believes there’s a right way to achieve results - and that's through constructive relationships with employers and other unions. By keeping the lines of communication open, even when we disagree, we can find a way to make the situation better.

With so many members, Accord already has an important seat at the table. But we believe we can do better to influence employers and that's one of the reasons why it's important to join and strengthen our voice. The more members we have, the stronger we are when negotiating about the things that really matter to you.

Our members trust us with two main tasks:

Collective representation of members' views in negotiations with their employer. The most obvious of these negotiations occurs annually. Yes, we're talking about the annual pay & reward review.
Individual representation of members with workplace issues and formal procedures such as at grievance, health wellbeing & attendance, performance or disciplinary meetings.

There are many other benefits to Accord membership too.

Check out our membership benefits

Membership is excellent value for money, starting from as little as £5.25 per month. Subscription is via monthly direct debit at the following rates:

£10.50

For members who work full time

£7.50

For members working full time, but who are agency staff or on a short-term contract. Or for retired members.

£7.50

For members who work part-time (16-34 hours per week)

£5.25

For members who work under 16 hours per week

£5.25

For members under the age 21

Join us

Yes, if you work for one of the following employers:

Lloyds Banking Group
TSB
Schroders Personal Wealth
Communisis
Diligenta
E.Surv
Sainsbury's Bank
Utmost

If you don't work for one of the employers listed above and you're an existing Accord member (through associate membership), you're also covered.

Join us

You can join Accord online in just 5 minutes – all we need is a little information about you, and all you need is your bank details then you’re set.
Join us online now I need more information about Accord

Alternatively, give our membership team a call and sign up over the phone: 0118 934 1808.

There are many ways that we can support you, and it's easy to get in touch with us:

For simple support queries or membership questions, chat to us using our online chat facility (Monday-Friday 9:00-17:00). Out of these hours, the chat function will allow you to leave us a message which we'll respond to you by email
If you haven't got much time or your can wait for a response, you can use the quick contact form at the bottom of any page on the website
For more general or urgent queries, we operate a helpline Monday-Friday 9:00-17:00. Outside of these hours, we operate a 24hr emergency helpline for issues that can't wait until the next working day. Call 0118 934 1808.
Been invited to a meeting? Complete a representation request
If you need support at work, find someone in your area to support you:
Find your local Accord officer

Of course you can, but bear in mind we can only offer new members who join with an existing issue telephone advice - we can’t offer representation for that particular issue.

If anything new arises during your membership, you'll be entitled to full support and representation, as long as you’ve continued to pay your membership subscriptions.

Join us online now

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What our members say...

I'm an Accord member because knowing I have counsel and the listening ear of a rep, regardless how big or small my concern, gives me the backing I need when times are challenging.

Hayley Wellavise

What members say about our benefits

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