We hope this FAQ will answer most of your queries about IWW health and social care workers. If you have any other questions, please contact us .

Do we still need unions?

Most of us working in the health and social care sector can easily think of problems with our jobs: poor pay, short-term/temporary contracts, stressful conditions at work, understaffing.... the list goes on. 

Instead of moaning about these problems, the IWW believes in organising to make things better.

Can the IWW help me to improve the wages or working conditions at my current job?

That depends on you. The IWW does not provide leaders to fight your battles for you. But if you're willing to organise at work by talking with your colleagues about the issues that matter to them, then you can count on IWW members to lend you their support.

Individuals can do little by themselves and are likely to be sacked if they raise a lone voice in protest. By joining together in a union such as the IWW, workers are far more powerful when confronting the boss about any workplace problem.

Can I join if I'm aleady a member of a trade union?

Yes. Many IWW members are also members of other unions.  We welcome them and recognise their wealth of experience in workplace organising.

How much will it cost to join?

We operate a sliding scale of dues, based on your take home pay (i.e. after tax and NI).

Monthly Income                                     Monthly Dues

Unwaged / Fixed Income                                    £1.00

Up to £650                                                        £1.10

£651 - £1200                                                     £3.30

Over £1200                                                        £8.25

Who cannot join the IWW?

Membership is not open to people who have "hiring and firing" ability in their workplace. 

What sort of people join IWW health and social care?

We welcome people from across the field of health and social care. Current members work in areas including nursing, midwifery, mental health, sexual health, admin, blood & transplant, care homes and social work.

I work in a hospital canteen. Is the IWW Health and Social Care Workers Union for me?

Yes. In the IWW, anyone who works as part of the health & social care industry, i.e. in a healthcare workplace,  will be part of IU 610 health & social care workers. This includes services such as IT, cleaning and catering. We believe that this is the strongest way in which to organise.