Trade union official

You would try to get employers to improve pay and working conditions for members of your union. Your work would be very important in ensuring that staff at all levels are treated fairly.

As a full-time trade union representative working at regional level, you would:

• Advise on legal or health and safety issues

• Hire and train local officials

• Deal with local disputes and case work

• Promote learning and education programmes to members

At national level, you would:

• Work on policies

• Do research

• Set up learning and education programmes

• Deal with the media

• Negotiate with employers’ organisations, political parties and government

You might be a part-time union official, known as a shop steward or representative. You would be elected by trade union members in your company to pass on their views to managers. You would then spend some of your work time dealing with trade union business.

• Scottish Trades Union Congress - Represents the trade union movement in Scotland

• Scottish Union Learning - Supports trades unions to develop their members' and representatives' skills