GMB is the UK's third largest, trade union and probably the fastest growing with a 15% increase in members in real terms in the last five years. With an extensive range of GMB member benefits and offers, you can make sure you stay informed and make the best of your working life. Whatever your job or workplace needs, you are in excellent company of 630,000 other GMB members who benefit from GMB membership.

As a general union, GMB membership is open to all workers and students in both the public and private sectors.

Grade 1: Full time
£15.18 per month

Grade 2: Part time
£8.57 per month for GMB members working part-time for 20 hours or less and GMB members under 18 years. If you work in a school please check the current GMB rate with your local GMB office.

Sick & unemployed
5p per week.

Retired members
If a GMB member retires, they can continue their membership and the benefits that come with it by paying a small annual contribution of £13.05 per year.

If you retired permanently from paid work, on or after 1 July 2025 and have been a GMB member for at least 5 years, you can apply in writing to become a GMB retired member. However, you will need to continue to pay your current contributions until your application has been accepted.

If you are currently a GMB retired member and retired after 2015, you will be asked to pay the new retired membership rate (agreed at Congress 2025).

Apprentices
£3 per month.

Non-working students
£1 per month. Students who are in employment will continue to pay the rate applicable to their employment and hours of work.

You can join GMB instantly online here.