JOIN – © Solidarity Across Land Trades 2025

Why Do Landworkers Need A Trade Union?

A trade union is a collective of workers who join together to advocate for change in their workplaces and gain access to advice and support when workplace issues arise. A trade union is led by and represents its membership on matters of common interest within their sector. These interests are often different from the interests of those they work for. This could be around issues relating to pay, conditions, rights, power, policy, international solidarity etc.

People often join a trade union when there’s already a situation at their workplace that they need immediate support with, which is understandable. However, so much more can be gained when workers become trade union members as part of an ongoing commitment to building collective power. This can create systemic and structural change over time, slowly shifting the landscape in which we work for the better, as well as shaping the advocacy and support that is available when issues do arise at work.

Workers have much to thank our trade union movement ancestors for. They fought tirelessly to win rights including the 5 day week, sick pay, annual leave, state pensions, the right to challenge unfair dismissal, protection from discrimination and the right to safe working conditions (and many more!). SALT wishes to honour these wins by continuing to fight for, defend and improve workers’ rights.

All landworkers are encourage to join SALT, even if you’re happy in your job and have a good relationship with your boss as your experience and position can still be part of shaping the movement and improving the sector for others.

Who Is SALT For?

SALT is for workers in land-based trades.

SALT defines a worker as someone who does not have the power to hire AND fire other workers, does not own a business, or the means of production, and is not in a senior management role. Workers include employees, trainees, apprentices, volunteers, freelancers, former workers and worker coop members. We cannot provide legal support until you have been a member of SALT for 3 months.

SALT welcomes solidarity from those in positions of management and ownership. Read our SUPPORT page to find out more about this.

SALT defines a land-based trade as a vocation which relies on or relates to land through food, horticulture, agriculture, ecology, forestry, floriculture and conservation – although this list is not exhaustive.

If you have a request for legal advice and you are not eligible to join SALT (i.e. you have hiring AND firing power in your workplace) we do not have the capacity to assist you.

How To Join SALT?

Click HERE and follow the instructions below

**Step 1**: Go to the Bakers and Allied Food Workers Union website and click Join Us.

**Step 2**: Fill out each page with your own details, which is pretty self explanatory. When you get to the question “Where is your place of work?” add SALT to “Branch, location or factory name” to identify that you are joining the SALT branch of BFAWU.

**Step 3**: Continue filling the form, and select whether you are on zero hours or a PAYE contract which will determine the level of fees you pay per month. If you are self-employed , don’t have an official contract, are a trainee or volunteer, select “Yes: zero hours.” You can also elect to pay an additional donation to the BFAWU’s political fund.

**Step 4**: Enter bank details to setup your direct debit (it may take a few weeks to come out of your account), submit and you’re finished!

How We Organise

We welcome all SALT members to get involved in organising!

Workplace Organising

Our culture of organising begins with becoming a member. As a member, you will have the support and backing from SALT’s Organising Members, Elected Reps and the rest of the BFAWU membership to stand with your colleagues and push for better working conditions. This can be as simple as knowing your rights, having conversations with your colleagues and standing in solidarity with each other when issues arise. SALT / BFAWU offers training, tools and peer support to help build confidence in workplace organising.

Branch Organising

SALT members are warmly encouraged to get involved in branch organising as part of a Working Group or as an Organising Member. Through this, you will be able to contribute to particular projects or areas of ongoing work and help shape what SALT does. The Organising Members and Working Groups communicate via WhatsApp and other messaging platforms, and in weekly meetings via Zoom.

SALT members can also stand for elected positions such as Casework Rep, Branch Secretary, Health and Safety Rep and Union Learner Rep. These elected members represent SALT at National BFAWU conferences and gatherings and have access to a range of training.

If you’re interested in getting involved with organising for SALT, contact us.