Know your rights

MILLIONS OF young people are working in low-paid jobs, often with
bullying bosses and unsafe working conditions. Young workers are often
denied their basic rights in work and many are scared of losing their jobs
if they try to argue for better conditions.

Clare James, International Socialist Resistance (ISR) national
co-ordinator

This increased exploitation is creating growing frustration and anger
among a lot of young workers. Now, more than ever, we need to be organised
and fighting together to try and improve working conditions. Young people
are the future of the trade union movement, yet a recent TUC survey found
that only 11% of workers under 24 belong to a trade union.

ISR believes it is urgent that the trade unions have a mass campaign to
recruit more young workers. They should organise them and help build their
confidence to take on low-paying, bullying employers to fight for better
pay and working conditions.

ISR has recently launched our ‘Low Pay-No Way!’ campaign across England
and Wales. Actions have taken place in London, Southampton, Brighton,
Sheffield, Nottingham and more, with plans for action over the summer in
many other towns and cites such as Swansea, Cardiff, Bristol and Exeter.

We have given out hundreds of ‘Know Your Rights’ cards as well as
selling many copies of our ‘Fight for Your Rights at Work’ campaign pack.
This has information on what is a trade union, how and why you should
join, what is a strike and picket line and advice for organising in your
workplace.

Many of the young workers we meet are angry at what they have been
putting up with. They are enthused at seeing sections of workers taking
action against low pay and worsening conditions, such as in the PCS and by
postal workers.

  • If you would like more information on the campaign or would like to
    get a copy of the campaign pack, send a cheque or postal order, made
    payable to ‘ISR’ for £1 each (including postage).