Shouldn't the voluntary sector and trade unions find common cause?

They have much in common. They seek social justice for their beneficiaries, they rely heavily on volunteers to help organise and support beneficiaries; and they rely on non-paid bodies to oversee their strategic direction and governance. Both types of organisation are also heavily regulated; and scrutinised by a sceptical, often hostile, media. 

Yet few but the largest charities are unionised; and despite many areas of common interest, there is seemingly little common cause. I think this should change, but when I asked the national voluntary sector organisations about the relationship between the sector and trade unions, I received no response. I wrote about all of this in an article here: