What makes a trade union powerful in 2026?
Is it membership density? Visibility? Influence? Or is it more about the willingness of workers to act together when it matters most?
To explore that question, we brought together three people working in the thick of the trade union movement: Sarah Woolley, General Secretary of the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union; Henry Fowler, Assistant General Secretary at the General Federation of Trade Unions; and Ranjit Singh, Napo’s Assistant General Secretary.
Between them, they represent grassroots organising, movement-wide strategy, and the complex reality of a union rooted in public service and professional identity.
This conversation explores organising, declining trade union numbers and sets forth ideas for making the trade union movement future proof.
One thing all of the guests agreed on: the future of the trade union movement won’t be decided by how many members it can count. It will be decided by how many are ready — and supported — to act. Listen here
