When you join Advance Union, you’re joining more than just a union – an extended community with thousands of other members who share a common goal of creating a positive employment experience.

Advance Union has many trained workplace representatives who complement our professional consultants nationwide. They are there to help when things aren’t going so well.

Advance Union are a forward-thinking modern trade union that believes there’s a right way to achieve results – and that’s through constructive relationships with Santander and other unions. By keeping the lines of communication open, even when we disagree, we can find a way to make the situation better.

Advance already has an essential seat at the table with so many members. However, we believe we can do better to influence employers, so joining and strengthening our voices is critical. The more members we have, the stronger we are when negotiating about the things that matter to you. You also have your say in what matters to you at work!

Our members entrust us with two main tasks:

• The collective representation of members’ views when negotiations with their employer. The most obvious of these negotiations occur annually. Yes, we’re talking about the annual pay & reward review.
• Individual representation of members with workplace issues and formal procedures such as a grievance or disciplinary meetings. Hopefully not something we need to do too often, but when you do, you need a professional and recognised body to help provide the best representation and guidance.

There are many other benefits to Advance membership, too – check out the benefits section on this page.

Advance membership is excellent value for money at £6.70 per month and is taken by direct debit on the 19th of each month.  The cost per day of 22p is much less than the price of a coffee!

Yes, if you work for one of the following employers, primary subsidiaries of  Banco Santander Group in the UK.

• Santander UK
• Santander Consumer Finance
• Santander Financial Services (International)
• Gesban
• Santander London Branch
• Aquamina
• Santander Asset Management inc All funds
• Hyundai Capital
• Volvo Capital
• NewDay ltd

We are independent means that our entire structure is selected and elected by our members only, and not by anyone in Santander.  Everyone from the General Secretary down to workplace representatives is there to act as your voice at work and not for your employer.  That’s an important consideration for members when choosing a union, and it means that we can focus our efforts on supporting members without constraints.

Advance had to demonstrate clear independence from any other legal body, by following a robust process with the UK Government appointed certification officer in 1977 and has an independent audit every year to meet with our legal obligations to our members.

We’re not affiliated with any political party and don’t have a political levy. The union uses all our membership subscription fees to represent our members’ interests and provide membership benefits and services.

Advance is affiliated with the TUC, the Scottish, and the Wales TUC. Through our work with the TUC, we’re involved in campaigns and negotiations with the government of the day on matters that affect workers within our recognised employers and beyond

We also are part of other bodies that help us share information with similar trade unions. One of them is the Alliance for Finance, an association which allows us to talk to trade unions in our sector.

Of course, you can, but we can only normally offer new members who join with an existing issue telephone advice.   We can’t offer representation for that particular issue unless you are in the first few months of Probation.

If anything new arises during your membership, you’ll be entitled to full support and representation, as long as you’re a fully paid member.