Zero-hour contract protests in Leeds and York this Saturday

Youth Fight for Jobs (YF) activists in Yorkshire will protest against zero-hour contracts this Saturday, 17th August, outside Sports Direct in Leeds and York at 12 noon.

This follows revelations in the Guardian last week that 90% of Sports Direct's workforce, around 20,000 workers, are on zero-hours contracts which do not guarantee them any work and also allow employers to avoid paying sick pay.

A number of other employers, including Buckingham Palace, government departments, McDonalds, Burger King, have also been revealed to be involved in the widespread use of zero-hour contracts.

The protests form part of the 'Are You Sick of Your Boss?' initiative, the latest campaign organised by Youth Fight for Jobs.

The campaign aims to raise awareness of the many frustrations faced by underemployed young workers, from low pay to being asked to work late without pay or not receiving paid breaks at work.

It also aims to encourage young workers to join trade unions and conduct a fight for decent jobs.

Iain Dalton, Yorkshire Organiser of Youth Fight for Jobs & Education commented: "With figures showing that the government's own estimates of employees on zero-hour contracts being an underestimate, we now see large numbers of mainstream employers being revealed to be using zero hours contracts.

"This is a conscious strategy of employers to boost their profits at the expense of their employees. We are fighting to unionise young workers to win real contracts with guaranteed hours including full-time contracts for those who want them.

"This issue goes beyond just these companies. The lack of decent jobs available for young people is pushing them in desperation into such exploitative contracts.

"We need the government to invest in a programme of public works, such as building new council housing to meet the needs of the over 1.5 million households on the waiting list, which could provide thousands of decent jobs.

"Such measures could be funded by collecting the £120 billion uncollected or evaded tax by the wealthy and large corporation and bringing the finance sector bailed out at our expense into public ownership with democratic control of their resources."

For more info contact Iain Dalton (YFJ Yorkshire Organiser) on 07809839793 (unavailable on Friday) or e-mail [email protected]

Leeds: Mikey Divers (Leeds YFJ Convenor) on 07528882745

York: Martin Readle on 07565105276

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