Trade unions are experiencing a "renaissance" as new figures reveal that membership levels remain stable despite swingeing cuts in the manufacturing sector.

As union derecognition becomes a "thing of the past", TUC membership stayed stable at 6.7 million workers in 2001 - slightly down due to the recession in manufacturing. New figures also show that unions won three times more recognition agreements than in 2000, often as a result of an approach by employers.

Forum Response: Unison

A spokeswoman for Unison told ePolitix.com: "A union the size of Unison needs to recruit 120,000 new members a year just to stand still. We have found that today more people are interested in joining a union because of all the benefits a person gains from membership. These include mortgage advice, insurance, legal protection and holidays. We have also recently launched a website for younger people which has been designed to inform Britain's youth of the attractions of joining a union."

Forum Response: Unifi

A spokeswoman for Unifi told ePolitix.com: "It's a very positive development. People are finally realising that the only protection they can receive at work is via a union."

Forum Response: Institute of Directors

Ruth Lea, head of policy at the Institute of Directors, told ePolitix.com: "There appears to be a rise in union power. And with it seems to come back more militancy that has not been seen for a long time. It is inevitable with the increase in worker rights and compulsory recognition that unions would regain their power."