A UNION has launched a new community branch for people who are unemployed, students, carers, retired people and volunteers.

Unite is the country’s biggest union with more than 1.4million members.

Newly-formed Clacton branch secretary Rick Grogan said people need to join together to fight for better condition, regardless of political affiliations.

He said: “Unions have been demonised in the mainstream media and by politicians but it is important we remember why unions were formed, they were formed out of the desperate need for better treatment of employees.

“Unions have helped us fight for better working conditions, pay and a safer working environment.

“In 2017, due to the austerity measures implemented by this Government, we are seeing the welfare state and workers’ rights eroded, we are returning to pre-war conditions, with food banks, homelessness, child poverty, zero hours contracts, lack of affordable housing, cuts to the NHS and lack of social care for our elderly and vulnerable citizens.

“Austerity measures mean a boom for the few and poverty for the many.”

Members of a community branch are entitled to help and legal advice on benefit sanctions, housing problems other issues.

For more details, go to unitetheunion.org.