Niven Day, Liverpool Socialist Students
For most of us, life after high school, no matter the direction that’s taken, puts us into a capitalist trap that is difficult to escape from. Some will go straight into work, where they are paid less than a 21-year-old for the same amount of work, while others will go to university, with measly maintenance loans, and end up having to get one, even two, jobs, mostly consisting of minimum wage on a zero-hour contract.
The lack of trade union representation in these jobs is worrying. Young workers can be replaced with ease, or ‘quiet fired’, where they are given no hours for the most minute of reasons. It is why it is important that young workers get organised.
If you are a young worker, or a university student, get involved in your trade union. Find the best fit for your workplace, or get involved in a Unite Community branch for those who are unemployed. Being a part of a union is how to use the collective strength of workers rather than facing the bosses alone. If you are a part of a trade union already, get your branch to affiliate to the NSSN.
The National Shop Stewards Network conference is taking place on 27 June in London, bringing together rank-and-file activists from across the trade unions to discuss how we build the working-class fightback.
Come along to meet and discuss with other young workers, and learn from the experiences of class fighters from across our movement.
