Before You Join

Please take a moment to read this before completing the membership form.

The General Union is a labour union.
We exist because workers support each other and act together. Our strength — and our ability to help anyone — comes from members who stay, participate, and build the union over time.

Many people today don’t know what a union is, so we want to be clear.

A union is not a lawyer, a help centre, or a guaranteed solution to individual problems. We are a collective organisation. We negotiate, organise, and support members based on what is realistically possible in each situation.

If you are experiencing a workplace problem, we strongly recommend requesting a consultation before joining. A consultation allows us to understand your situation, explain your options, and discuss what the union may be able to do. You can request a consultation at genu.cc/consult.

You are still welcome to join anytime you wish. However, in most cases, speaking with us first will help you make a more informed decision about joining and will help us understand how best to assist you.

Whether you are joining because of a workplace issue or simply because you want to support and strengthen the union, we hope you will see membership as a long-term commitment. The union exists because members continue to support one another over time.

If you have already had a consultation, or if you wish to join without requesting one, please continue to the membership form below.