Membership is open to any teacher, regardless of nationality, who is employed at a university, college, or post-graduate institution in a non-management post.

The survey was compiled and published in collaboration with the Tokyo area Union of Part-Time Lecturers.

[12] In 2007, as part of a campaign to maintain and improve working conditions, UTU launched a petition against outsourcing (the use of agency workers to reduce the labour costs of direct employment), a practice that continues to threaten the security of university teachers.

[13] In 2006 and 2007, with the support of General Union and the Union of Part-Time Lecturers, UTU hosted forums and workshops[14][15] in Tokyo to provide opportunities for college and university teachers to share experiences, and to explore ways to protect jobs, defend educational standards and improve working conditions on campus.

On May 1, 2011, UTU members along with Nambu under the banner of the National Union of General Workers, participated in the Hibiya Park rally commemorating International Workers' Day or May Day (see photo).