Petitions/Create an independent ombudsman for complaints about union service quality
StatusClosed
Opened26 Aug 2025
Closes26 Feb 2026
Government response
Parliamentary debateNot eligible
Milestones

We call on the Government to set up an independent ombudsman to handle complaints from trade union members who have received poor service, legal advice, or representation. There is currently no way that we feel is fair or independent for members to seek redress.

If trade unions fail members—by withdrawing legal support, ignoring grievances, or acting negligently— there are insufficient routes for redress. The Certification Officer only covers rule breaches, not service quality. We feel legal action is expensive and out of reach for most. We think an independent ombudsman should be created to hold unions accountable, investigate serious failures, and give members a fair, affordable way to challenge mistreatment and service failures. We think union members deserve protection too.

10,000
100,000

Constituency engagement ranking

Louise Sandher-Jones
1Louise Sandher-Jones MP
North East Derbyshire
5
Jake Richards
2Jake Richards MP
Rother Valley
4
Mr Clive Betts
3Mr Clive Betts MP
Sheffield South East
3
Chris Elmore
4Chris Elmore MP
Bridgend
2
Lee Anderson
5Lee Anderson MP
Ashfield
1
Stephanie Peacock
6Stephanie Peacock MP
Barnsley South
1
Shabana Mahmood
7Shabana Mahmood MP
Birmingham Ladywood
1
Al Carns
8Al Carns MP
Birmingham Selly Oak
1
Mr Adnan Hussain
9Mr Adnan Hussain MP
Blackburn
1
Natalie Fleet
10Natalie Fleet MP
Bolsover
1
Create an independent ombudsman for complaints about union service quality — Petitions