Youth Fight for Jobs demonstration, November 2009, photo Dave Carr (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)
David Cameron has declared he’ll deliver “the most pro-business…agenda ever unleashed by a government”. Promising to create new jobs and growth, it seems that this cabinet of millionaires does believe that there should be opportunities available – for the bosses at least.
Tracy Edwards, PCS young members’ organiser (personal capacity)
This government is hell bent on making ordinary working and middle class youth pay a heavy price for the failures of their profit system.
Maybe they want young people to do the same as their brothers and sisters in Ireland – attempt to escape the misery by seeking to emigrate to find work and opportunities elsewhere. Maybe they think they’ll get away with condemning young people to a life of poverty and desolation.
Whatever they think, we should remember that it is a weak government and MPs live in a different world to us. They underestimate the huge anger that’s brewing and the ability and energy of young people to fight back.
2011 will be a tumultuous year for the anti-cuts movement and we’ll see more and more young people joining the fightback.
Already inspired by the student movement towards the end of last year, many are now ready for action themselves.
The PCS young members’ network has shown that young people are drawn towards trade unions that advocate a fighting programme on jobs, pay and conditions and that they will get active so long as they can be involved in decision making.
We have a network of young workers across the country and are playing a vital role in anti-cuts campaigns as well as working with students and young workers from other unions.
The demonstration in Manchester on 29 January will be an important step forward in uniting young workers, unemployed people and students in the fight for a decent future. After the Manchester demonstration was called, a second, on the same day, has been organised in London specifically on education issues.
Only by linking up the various struggles and groups around a fighting programme can we roll back the tidal wave of attacks raining down on young people. We urge students and young workers to join us on 29 January in Manchester and London.
PCS will be organising transport to the events. Contact the regional PCS office or Tracy Edwards by emailing [email protected] for more details. PCS welcomes other unions contributing to transport arrangements.
