Usdaw: Fighting against the policies of 'social partnership'

Activist is the paper of Socialist Party members in the shop workers' union Usdaw. Recently it carried an article explaining how, after 12 years, Robbie Segal has decided not to stand for re-election to the Usdaw executive (EC). Robbie has been struggling for the last year against a neurological disorder and now feels it is impossible to play the role of an active EC member. Often Robbie has been the lone voice on the EC against Usdaw leaders' collaborationist policies with the bosses.

Robbie explains how the failure of Usdaw's leaders to challenge the exploitation of unpaid unemployed youth working for free in big retail companies is connected to their slavish support for the now discredited 'social partnership' policy.

Tesco, Poundland, Argos, Sainsbury are just a few companies Usdaw has agreements with and all have embraced the Con-Dems' 'job experience programme' for young unemployed. This latest scheme forces young people - 16 to 21 year olds - to spend eight weeks working a 30 hour week as slaves. They receive no payment for their work and if they refuse to participate they lose their Jobseeker's Allowance. For trade unionists, this is a form of slavery - working for nothing.

Usdaw should be fighting to ensure these modern-day slaves are paid the same wages as our members which, unfortunately, is little more than the minimum wage. Such a campaign would act as an example of how trade unions are relevant to young people today.

Youth unemployment has climbed to over one million which means a staggering 22% of 16-26 year-olds and in some areas over one in three are on the dole. Rather than implement genuine training programmes to develop real skills, the response of both the major political parties - Con-Dems and Labour - is to establish this cheap labour work experience scheme.

It is the responsibility of the trade unions to join these young people in the fight for a future.

For a full version of this article and if you would like to receive a regular copy of the Activist send your email address to: shopworker@socialistparty.org.uk

Tesco imposes two year increase in pension age

Usdaw conference

Unions cautiously welcome talks with Unilever

Unilever workers strike to defend pensions

Activist: Paper of Socialist Party members in Usdaw

Support for No2EU at Usdaw conference

Young people:

UN reports rise in global youth unemployment

Leicester Socialist Party: Building support for socialism among young people

The ugly truth behind the latest unemployment figures

Merseyside Socialist Party: How can young people fight back?

Trade unions:

Salford Socialist Party: Europe against austerity

Leicester Socialist Party: Trade Unions - what are they doing for us?

Labour - no friend of trade unions

Robbie Segal:

Shop workers need a fighting trade union leadership