New research from specialist affinity insurer UIA Insurance shows that eight out of ten trade union members want their unions to offer insurance and financial products as a standard benefit of their membership.
According to UIA, several unions are now using these benefits to attract and retain members. But those members were shown to prefer financial organisations with mutual status because it is felt they have a close fit with the ethos and values of their own union. Company reputation and quality of service were also emphasised as important.
UIA said the findings show that members value unions "as providers of support, advice and protection in the widest sense."
The research was carried out on behalf of UIA by The Research Factor. It comprises eleven focus groups and 974 interviews across the membership of Unison, the largest trade union, other trade unions and UIA customers.
