The听United Tech and Allied Workers (UTAW) has become Britain鈥檚 first tech trade union.听
A听branch of the Communication Workers Union (CWU), it is open to anyone who听works for a tech firm,听from developers to gig economy workers.听
It also represents workers who develop or deploy technology in other industries;听workers whose听labour is a necessary part of a tech company鈥�s听operation; and听tech听students.听
The UTAW said workers for eCommerce giant Amazon have already joined the union, which听seeks to represent and fight for workers鈥�听interests in the expanding tech sector.听听
Almost 10 per cent of British workers are in the tech industry.听Currently, union membership in the sector stands at less than three per cent.听听
鈥�The CWU has for some time been a viable option for workers in the tech industry looking to unionise, and already has members in the sector working for companies such as Amazon,鈥� a statement read.听
鈥�The formation of this new branch seeks to expand our existing membership in the sector and provide existing and potential members a dedicated space within which to organise and collectivise to support and empower one another as we fight against exploitative business practices in the industry and for the improvement of every member鈥檚 working conditions.鈥�听
A spokesperson told Wired that workers from companies including Asos, Google, Monzo and Deliveroo are听also听planning to join.听
“These tech sector workers are leading the way as a听new generations听realise the value of collectivising struggle and begging to self-organise to build industrial strength, and we are delighted they believe the CWU is the best union to help them achieve this,鈥� CWU鈥檚 head of recruitment and organising Ray Ellis听said.听
鈥淚t鈥檚 clear from the meetings we鈥檝e had with these activists and tech workers that they鈥檙e keen to both organise and unionise 鈥� and that they want to do this within the CWU.鈥�