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).

ISR, PO Box 858, London E11 1YG. 020 8558 7947
[email protected]
www.anticapitalism.org.uk

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Finance appeal

The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.

The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.

The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.

The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.