I was fired for joining a trade union. Does EU law protect me?

What the Law Says

The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights guarantees workers the right to join trade unions and engage in collective bargaining — and explicitly prohibits adverse treatment, including dismissal, for exercising that right.

Article 28 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union states: 'Workers and employers, or their respective organisations, have, in accordance with Community law and national laws and practices, the right to negotiate and conclude collective agreements at the appropriate levels and, in cases of conflicts of interest, to take collective action to defend their interests, including strike action.'

While Article 28 focuses on collective action, the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) has consistently interpreted Articles 12 (freedom of assembly and association) and 28 together to protect individual union membership from retaliation — including dismissal — as a core aspect of freedom of association.

The Charter is legally binding on all EU Member States when they implement EU law (Article 51(1) of the Charter). Since employment law falls within EU competence (e.g., through directives on information/consultation, anti-discrimination, and working conditions), national courts must interpret domestic law in line with Charter rights.

Statutory Text

Workers and employers, or their respective organisations, have, in accordance with Community law and national laws and practices, the right to negotiate and conclude collective agreements at the appropriate levels and, in cases of conflicts of interest, to take collective action to defend their interests, including strike action.

— Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, Art. 28 — Right of collective bargaining and action

What Courts Have Said

The Court of Justice of the EU has ruled repeatedly that dismissing a worker for union activity violates fundamental EU rights — especially freedom of association and collective bargaining.

What to Do

Sources