Leaving your employer?

What is associate membership?

Associate membership offers individual representation, advice and support, together with a benefits package.

You retain all the benefits you’re used to for a reduced monthly rate. 

We offer associate membership to members who are due to leave their current employer - because leaving your employment doesn't mean you should have to lose your union too. You're entitled, by law, to be a member of the union of your choice, regardless of whether your employer has any formal recognition in place with them.

If you're moving to an employer that doesn't have formal recognition in place, staying with Accord will ensure you remain protected and supported should anything go wrong. If your new employer has a recognised union, we generally recommend you join them for the simple reason that they'll be involved in negotiating your terms and conditions of employment.

Associate membership is always at a reduced monthly rate compared to our full membership. The maximum you'll ever pay is £7.50 per month (excluding any tickets in the subscription draw which are £1 each).

Why should I become an associate member?

Although your new employer may not recognise Accord for collective bargaining purposes (negotiating your pay, benefits etc), in law it has to respect your entitlement to be a member of a union of your choice. You spend many of your waking hours in work and, for the most part, you’re likely to travel a smooth path. But from time to time, things can go wrong.

You may make a mistake and find yourself being invited to a formal disciplinary hearing; your new manager takes a dislike to you and you don’t know how to stand up for yourself; you think you’re being paid less than you should, your rights to holidays and other time off are not being granted... Accord can advise on these and all other employment related matters. We can represent you in any formal grievance, harassment or disciplinary meetings.

Everyone needs a friend at work – make Accord your best friend by staying with us as an associate member.

Plus, you can continue to use our benefits

As an associate member, you can continue to make use of our benefits package - including:

• Accord travel club – Save money with a one stop discounted solution for all your travel needs. From UK staycations to worldwide tours and everything in between. Some members have saved tens, sometimes hundreds of pounds on the price of a holiday by booking through the Accord travel club.
• Legal services - You and your immediate family members will have access to free, confidential legal advice on any matter - including personal injury claims. The legal services are provided by leading law firms. This advice would cost, on average, £100 per hour if independently sought.
• Will writing services - You and your immediate family members can benefit from a free Will using our simple, quick and professional service provided by leading law firms. There’s also discounts and expert legal advice on more complex Wills.
• Commission cashback - Members receive an average cashback of £430 on income protection, life insurance and mortgage needs. Our brokers will find you the most competitively priced policies. Members’ partners and other close relatives can use the scheme too.
• Lifelong Learning Fund - Providing financial support to members who want to learn new skills. The fund will provide grants of up to 50% of the cost of courses and training materials, up to a maximum of £500. Eligibility criteria applies
• Subscription draw - Every month, one lucky Accord member wins £5,000. Runners up each get £250. Members can buy up to 5 tickets in the monthly draw at £1 each. You’ve got to be in it, to win it! 

Making use of just one of these benefits could save you more money than what you'll pay for your associate membership.

Are there any differences between associate and ordinary membership?

There's no difference in the level of support you'll receive from Accord once making the switch to associate membership. The difference between associate and ordinary membership is due to Accord not being a recognised union with your new employer. Recognition is the legal status we have that enables us to collectively negotiate changes with an employer on our members' behalf. As an associate, we won't be able to do this, and this is why our associate membership fee is set at a reduced subscription rate.

Associate membership is always at a reduced monthly rate compared to our full membership. The maximum you'll ever pay is £7.50 per month (excluding any tickets in the subscription draw which are £1 each).

I'm retiring or leaving on redundancy

You may be choosing to leave the world or work, or taking time out to consider your next career move. But leaving work doesn't mean you need to lose access to the many benefits of your union membership.

As an associate member, you can continue to make use of our benefits package - including:

• Accord travel club – Save money with a one stop discounted solution for all your travel needs. From UK staycations to worldwide tours and everything in between. Some members have saved tens, sometimes hundreds of pounds on the price of a holiday by booking through the Accord travel club.
• Legal services - You and your immediate family members will have access to free, confidential legal advice on any matter - including personal injury claims. The legal services are provided by leading law firms. This advice would cost, on average, £100 per hour if independently sought.
• Will writing services - You can benefit from a free Will using our simple, quick and professional service provided by leading law firms. There’s also discounts and expert legal advice on more complex Wills.
• Commission cashback - Members receive an average cashback of £430 on income protection, life insurance and mortgage needs. Our brokers will find you the most competitively priced policies. Members’ partners and other close relatives can use the scheme too.
• Lifelong Learning Fund - Providing financial support to members who want to learn new skills. The fund will provide grants of up to 50% of the cost of courses and training materials, up to a maximum of £500. Eligibility criteria applies
• Subscription draw - Every month, one lucky Accord member wins £5,000. Runners up each get £250. Members can buy up to 5 tickets in the monthly draw at £1 each. You’ve got to be in it, to win it! 

Making use of just one of these benefits could save you more money than what you'll pay for your associate membership.