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YFJ

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From: The Socialist issue 722, 13 June 2012: Turn anger into action

Search site for keywords: Youth Fight for Jobs - Youth - Jobs - YFJ - Young people

Youth Fight for Jobs national meeting:

Organising the 'lost generation'

Helen Pattison

Youth Fight for Jobs national meeting 10 June 2012, photo Socialist Party (Click to enlarge)

On 10 June 50 young trade unionists, unemployed people and students from all over the UK attended a national meeting of Youth Fight for Jobs (YFJ).

Speakers included Brandon Madsen from Minneapolis involved with the Occupy Homes campaign against home foreclosures. Occupy Homes has already seen victories by keeping some people in their homes.

With the Young Londoners Forced-Out Campaign recently launched by YFJ to highlight the housing problems facing young people in the capital, the discussion focused on the housing benefit cuts and the Olympics which are both going to be responsible for rising homelessness among young people.

Youth Fight for Jobs national meeting 10 June 2012, photo Socialist Party (Click to enlarge)

Several people came into the discussion describing their personal experiences of workfare and how these schemes destroy jobs and drive down the rights of workers as well as exploiting young people.

YFJ played a leading role organising protests outside many of the shops using workfare which won some small changes to the more oppressive aspects of one of the schemes.

Helen Pattison, Leeds Socialist Party and Youth Fight for Jobs, photo by Socialist Party (Click to enlarge)

During the afternoon session the meeting discussed organising the campaign, giving activists a chance to report back on some impressive campaigning in their areas.

Plans were made for the TUC demo in October where YFJ will be involved in organising a youth contingent, linking together the struggles of workers and young people in the fight for decent jobs and a future.

There was also in-depth discussion of the recently produced YFJ manifesto. A future for the 99% outlines what YFJ stands for as well as campaigning tips. This will be launched at YFJ's 'Austerity Games' on 23 July.

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Coronavirus crisis - Finance appeal

The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.

The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.

The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.

The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
Our 'fighting coronavirus workers' charter', outlines a programme to combat the virus and protect workers' living conditions.
When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.