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Reasons to be part of the union

In this issue we're highlighting some of the good work the union is doing and demonstrate reasons to join us if you're not already a member.

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Your health & safety matters

Looking after your Health & Safety at work

We’re pleased to report that Accord’s positive and constructive conversations with the Lloyds Banking Group on health and safety are continuing, helping to keep your working environment safe. Here’s a quick overview of what’s been happening recently:

Customer Abuse – Telephony Training

A new training package is now available for telephony colleagues (excluding Personal Banking and Conversational Banking, who have their own). This training, designed with Accord’s input, helps you handle abusive or aggressive customers. It’s important that you get the time to complete this, so let us know if you’re struggling to fit it in.

Bespoke Risk Assessments

We’ve worked with the Bank to update risk assessments so they’re more tailored to specific workplaces, making them much more relevant and useful.

Accident Reporting

Accident numbers are down, but we’ve asked the Bank to assess how much of this is due to fewer colleagues overall. They’ve agreed to look into reporting accidents per capita for a clearer picture.

Automatic Door Injuries

There have been a few incidents with automatic doors in branches. Please ensure any faults are reported so repairs can be carried out swiftly.

New and Expectant Mothers

A mandatory new risk assessment is in place for new and expectant mothers. If this hasn’t been done for you, let us know right away.

Chemical Attack Guidance

While very rare, the Bank has introduced new guidance on how to respond to a chemical attack. It’s good to see proactive measures in place for worst-case scenarios.

Wellbeing Festivals & Kiosks

These events are happening at various locations, and Accord is involved. Keep an eye out for us at a festival near you!

Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs)

If you need assistance during an emergency evacuation, make sure a PEEP is set up for you. Speak to your manager if you haven’t already.

Fire Safety

The Bank is currently reviewing all fire doors, focusing on higher-risk buildings first. Nearly 30,000 colleagues have completed fire safety training—make sure you take time to complete yours if you haven’t yet.

Health & Safety highlights

Flu Vaccines

Free flu vaccines are available again this year, either via clinics at certain sites or through reimbursement (up to £21.95, or £26.95 in Jersey) for those arranging their own. 

Wellbeing Advocate Programme

The Bank’s Wellbeing Advocate programme has seen huge interest, with over 200 applicants for just 50 training roles! With nearly 1,300 Wellbeing Advocates now in place, it’s great to see how much support there is for this initiative.

Colleague H&S Forums

These forums have been really useful for raising key issues, such as simplifying accident reporting and improving fire evacuation procedures. Thanks to your input, the Bank is making positive changes, including better training and more streamlined reporting.

What does it mean to be a union member?

For the past 45 years, Accord has been dedicated to improving our members’ working lives. But not everyone at Lloyds Banking Group or TSB knows about Accord or the benefits of joining us.

At our Conference in April 2024, we asked some of our reps what being part of Accord means to them. Here’s a summary of what they had to say:

  • Trade unions are a driving force for positive change—they help secure better working conditions and fair pay. Our latest pay deal at Lloyds Banking Group for 2024 and 2025 will add nearly £350 million to members’ salaries.
  • Accord feels like a family at work, always ready to support you. In 2023, our helpline received almost 4,000 calls from members facing issues at work, proving that no one must face challenges alone.
  • Being part of a union means being part of a community that strives for a better working world. In 2023, we supported around 350 members in formal meetings—roughly seven colleagues every week who might otherwise have had to handle tough situations on their own.
  • We’re ready for the future of banking. With the rapid changes in how customers bank and the rise of AI, we’re focused on reskilling workers and ensuring job security. Check out page 5 for more on how we’re tackling these challenges. Have you heard about our Lifelong Learning Fund? We've got two great case studies in this issue that show how it’s helping members build new skills.
  • Change is inevitable, but a strong union ensures your voice is heard. Accord uses diplomacy, backed by sound reasoning and your feedback, to make sure your employer listens to colleagues.
  • 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.
  • Strength comes from solidarity. Our workplace reps are well-trained, approachable, and ready to offer advice and guidance. Supported by a professional Accord team, they ensure you have both local and expert support whenever you need it.

At Accord, we’re passionate about supporting our members, and we encourage you to share this with colleagues who may not yet have joined us. The more members we have, the stronger we are—and the stronger your voice becomes.

Join Accord today and find out more about what we do here.

Play the video and share with your colleagues

Moving job or preparing for retirement? Stay with Accord as an Associate Member 

In the last five years, we’ve seen consistently high numbers of people changing jobs, both in the financial sector and across the economy.

The pandemic, the cost of living and employer restructures have all driven people to move within the job market. There’s also been something of a social shift, with younger people not necessarily wanting the kinds of “jobs for life” that their parents might have chosen. And in a skills-based economy, it can often make sense to move jobs, to learn new things and get ahead.

But wherever you work, it’s always a good idea to have a trade union in your corner. And moving from LBG or TSB doesn’t mean that your journey with Accord has to end.

Full representation at a lower cost

As an Associate Member, you can continue to enjoy all the individual benefits of Accord membership at a lower monthly rate.

While your new employer might not recognise Accord for collective bargaining purposes (the negotiation of pay and benefits across the workforce), they are legally required to respect your decision to be represented by a union of your choice.

As your union, we’ll continue to represent you on an individual basis as you navigate your new workplace. Whether it’s dealing with a formal disciplinary hearing, addressing pay discrepancies, or understanding your rights to holidays and time off, we’ll always be here to provide the advice and representation you need.

We’re also proud that many of our retired members choose to continue their relationship with Accord as Associate Members, showing their continued support for the work we do.

Keep your Accord member benefits

As an Associate Member, you’ll also retain access to a wide range of exclusive benefits, including:

  • Legal Services: Free, confidential legal advice for you and your immediate family on any matter, including personal injury claims.
  • Will Writing Services: Create a free Will using our professional service and receive discounts on more complex Wills.
  • Commission Cashback: Save on income protection, life insurance, and mortgage needs with our broker services, with an average cashback of £430.
  • Travel Club Discounts: Enjoy discounted travel options, from UK staycations to worldwide tours, with potential savings of hundreds of pounds.
  • Monthly Subscription Draw: Enter our monthly draw for a chance to win £5,000, with additional prizes for runners-up.
  • Lifelong Learning Fund: Financial support for those looking to learn new skills, with grants covering up to 50% of course costs.
  • Free Subscriptions for New Parents: New parents may be eligible for a subscription-free period of up to 12 months.
Login to your membership online

Switching is Simple!


Switching to associate membership is easy. There are 3 easy ways to make the switch...

  1. You can make the change by logging on to the self-service section of our website: accord-myunion.org/login - go to the ‘employment details’ section and tell us about the changes to your employment.

  2. Give our friendly membership team a call and they’ll make the change over the phone - it only takes a minute. Call Accord HQ on 0118 934 1808 - our office hours are Monday - Thursday: 8.30am - 5.30pm & Friday: 8.30am - 5pm.

  3. If you’d prefer to email us, that’s fine too. Send an email confirming you’d like to retain your membership as an associate to [email protected] - include your name, staff ID number or membership number (if you know it), along with the date you’re leaving the business. We’ll sort the rest out.


We hope you decide to stay with the Accord family. Together we’re stronger.

Members expand their careers with the Lifelong Learning Fund 

Accord’s Lifelong Learning Fund helps members develop new skills, and here’s how it supported Toni and Maya to take on exciting new challenges.

Toni’s Story

Toni Charlesworth, a branch colleague since 2012, was concerned about branch closures and wanted to prepare herself for the future. “I was looking for something that would give me a safety net,” she says. 

While browsing the Accord website for information about the Travel Club, Toni discovered the Lifelong Learning Fund. The fund allows members to claim 50% (capped at £500) of the cost of courses and training materials to learn new skills. 

Like many members, Toni took a course related to banking, completing a foundation course in Capital Markets. But members can apply for funding in a wide range of subjects—from law to yoga to British Sign Language. 

Toni was impressed by how easy the process was. “I thought it would be a long, drawn-out process, like most funding applications, but it was just a simple form explaining the course and why I wanted to do it.” 

The financial support gave Toni the confidence to pursue the course. “It reassured me knowing that half the cost would be covered, which made it much more achievable.” 

Now working in mortgages, Toni feels the course has strengthened her position if future changes come her way. She encourages other members to explore the Lifelong Learning Fund. “I don’t think enough people realise how many benefits you get with Accord—it really needs to be shouted about!”

Maya’s Story 

Maya* is now in the third year of her part-time undergraduate degree, with support from the Lifelong Learning Fund. Her mentor flagged the fund to her, giving her the boost she needed to take on the challenge.

Maya appreciates that the fund supports courses even if they aren’t work-related. “It’s great that Accord invests in all kinds of education. It shows they care about developing their members.”

Being a proactive person, Maya is already exploring career opportunities linked to her degree and hopes to move into a new role that makes the most of her skills once she graduates.

Her advice to others? “You’ve got to be passionate about what you’re doing. If you are, the fund is a great resource for your self-development.” 

*not her real name

Find out more

If you’ve been an Accord member for at least three years and would like to apply for a grant from the Lifelong Learning Fund, you can complete an application form on our website. Applications are reviewed quarterly.

Find out more about the Lifelong Learning Fund