Thinking of joining Accord?

Reward

For over 40 years, Accord has been achieving improvements for members. All through constructive dialogue with your employer.

We negotiate terms and conditions of employment and continuously campaign for improvements. The most obvious of these negotiations occurs annually. Yes, we're talking about whether or not you get an annual pay rise and how much you'll get. But we do more than talk about pay.

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.

Support

First class support when you need it

There are many ways that we support our members:

• 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.
• We have und 400 trained workplace representatives who complement our professional team, spread right across the UK. They're on hand to help you out in your workplace 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.
• We've built a catalogue of useful in-depth guidance on our website, covering policies topics such as disciplinary, grievance and health & wellbeing, as well as guidance on menopause and financial wellbeing.
• Our help centre provides self-help answers at your fingertips covering a broad range of topics about union membership, our benefits, employer specific policies and guidance - plus more.

Benefits

We offer an additional benefits package making membership even better value for money:

• Private healthcare cashback: One of our most popular benefits - Accord members whose employer provides private healthcare, regardless of grade, can claim 50% of the excess on their policy. For most of our members that's £75 cashback in any rolling 12 months’ period. Find out about healthcare cashback
• Accord travel club: Discounts on holidays, weekend breaks, airport parking and more. The travel club is operated by Benchmark Travel and is a free benefit for Accord members and their families. Find out about the travel club
• Legal services: Get access to free, confidential legal advice on any matter - including personal injury claims. The services are provided by leading law firms across the UK and can be accessed by Accord members and immediate families. Find out about legal services
• Will writing: Members can benefit from a free online Will writing service as well as discounts and expert legal advice on more complex Wills. Find out about will writing
• Tax helpline: Paid too much tax? Had an unexpected bill from HMRC? You can call the free 'Tax Matters' helpline. It's a confidential service for Accord members and their immediate families. Similar advice would cost between £150-£200 per hour if independently sought. Find out about tax services & helpline
• Commission cashback: Taking out a mortgage, life insurance, critical illness or income protection policy and fancy some extra cash? Our brokers can find you competitively priced policies and the best bit... they'll give you back a lump sum as cashback. Find out about commission cashback
• Lifelong learning fund: The Lifelong Learning Fund provides support to members who want to learn new skills, from flower arranging to a master’s degree – you can apply for a grant whatever you fancy doing on your self-development journey. The fund will provide grants of up to 50% of the cost of courses and training materials, up to a maximum of £500. Find out about lifelong learning
• Subscription draw: Join the Accord subscription draw by logging into your Accord profile and updating your payment subscription to include tickets in the draw. Every month the Subscription draw makes a lucky jackpot winner £5,000 better off. Runners up each get £250. But you’ve got to be in it to win it! Find out about the Subscription draw
• Free subs whilst on maternity / parental leave: Accord members who are due to go on maternity, adoption, or shared parental leave may be entitled to a subscription free period of up to 12 months. What's more, you'll be able to use our services and the member benefits whilst on leave. Find out about the free subscription eligibility

Voice

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

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. 

Accord is an independent trade union - that means we don't receive funds from employers which would come with restrictive ties on what we can do or say. We're funded through our membership subscription - nothing else. That's an important consideration for members when choosing a union, and it means that we can focus our efforts on supporting members without constraints.

Accord is a democratic organisation - everything we do is centred around the interests of our members and our collective objectives. A primary aim for the union is to protect, promote and represent the interests of our members. To do this, we have agreed with employers the matters on which we consult and negotiate. Communication and the collation of feedback from members underpins this.

Our voice is louder and stronger when we join together. That's why workers join a union. 

Protection

Every year, we support members who run into problems at work - from smaller issues like getting holiday approved, to the significant things like facing disciplinary action. We'll 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.

Accord has negotiated some of the best job security terms in the industry and we’re experienced in supporting members who are at risk of redundancy.

Think of us as an insurance policy for your job and you'll be on the right lines. 

Equality

Accord stands up for your right to work in an environment free from discrimination and to ensure you're treated with dignity and respect.

We value diversity and actively oppose all forms of harassment, prejudice and unfair discrimination. Nobody should have to face bullying or harassment at work. Nor should they feel afraid to be themselves. Accord campaigns for dignity and respect at work for all workers.

We’re here to help if you’ve been treated unfairly at work because of your gender, race, ethnic or national origin, religion, colour, class, caring responsibilities, marital status, sexuality, disability, age, or other status or personal characteristic. And we'll assist you in challenging discrimination should it occur.