Link to this page: https://secure.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/538/6183
From The Socialist newspaper, 18 June 2008
National Shop Stewards Network Conference
Standing up for our rights!
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Teachers on strike on the 24th April , photo Paul Mattsson |
The prospects facing the majority of young workers today can only be described as dire. Many young people can only dream of earning a decent wage and carving out a secure future for themselves.
Tracy Edwards, Public and Commercial Services union (PCS), young members' organiser
Young workers often feel they have no choice but to accept low pay, unskilled work, bullying management and dangerous working conditions. And this is just the tip of the iceberg - being young nowadays seems to come with many other problems too - we are lazy, work shy and criminals! This according to a government and media that put profit before need and act in the interests of big business.
Young workers need to find a voice and organise an effective fight back through the trade union movement. It is true to say that some trade unions have a better track record of fighting for their members' interests than others, but through the National Shop Stewards Network, young workers can meet and discuss with other rank and file trade unionists and learn many lessons from experienced and committed trade unionists.
Together we can plan how we go about transforming our trade unions into campaigning and fighting organisations that stand up for all our rights.
Young workers are key to transforming the union movement as a whole and offering an alternative to the pro-big business, neo-liberal agendas of the three main political parties. Without young workers becoming active in their union and taking on leading roles and responsibilities, the trade union movement will not grow and the rights of all workers will continue to be eroded.
In the PCS, we have a progressive, fighting leadership who are committed to increasing participation of young workers right the way through our structures. Through the PCS Young Members' Network, young workers are beginning to play crucial national roles within our union.
Perhaps even more crucially, young members in PCS are taking on leading roles within their workplaces. They are challenging the idea that young people aren't interested in trade unions or politics, by getting involved in industrial action and politicising other young members in the workplace.
They are the new workplace leaders - giving other young workers the confidence to speak up and get involved in a fighting organisation that is member-led and committed to protecting public services.
I would urge all young workers, new to trade unions or not, to get involved in the Shop Stewards Network and come to the national conference on 28 June. We have the freshest ideas and are not put off by past defeats or mistakes.
Not only will this event attract other young workers, but it will also ensure that our best union activists, young and older, are given a much needed boost to continue to fight for what is rightfully ours - decent pay, terms and conditions for all!
National Shop Stewards Network Conference
Saturday 28 June, 11.30am-4.30pm. South Camden Community School, Charrington Street, London NW1.
Speakers include Bob Crow RMT, Janice Godrich, PCS, Brian Caton POA.
Delegates fee £5. See www.shopstewards.net or ring 020 8522 1156.
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In The Socialist 18 June 2008:
No! to racism: Yes! to decent jobs, homes and public services
No! to racism: Yes! to decent jobs, homes and public services
Unite and fight against racism
Protest at BNP 'hate festival'
International socialist news and analysis
Lisbon Treaty 'No' vote delivers major shock for political and big business Establishment
Socialist Party campaigns
David Davis - sanity or carving a position?
Greater Manchester - save your post office
London protest over Rajapaksa's dismal human rights record
Stop big business polluting our environment
Education
Stop New Labour's divisive school academy plans
Socialist Party NHS campaign
NHS: Polyclinics - Stop this backdoor privatisation
PFI - a very bad deal for the NHS
Socialist Party campaigns
Unison conference: Angry delegates attack leaders
Post office closures
Leeds: Stop Beeston post office closures
Socialist Party workplace news
National Shop Stewards Network Conference
CWU's link with Labour hotly debated
Victory against bosses at Keele
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