YFJ and PCS unite against cuts in Leeds

On 2 October, 30 trade unionists and anti-cuts activists gathered outside Leeds Art Gallery to highlight how the cuts of both the Con-Dem coalition government and local Labour councils (in Leeds and Kirklees in particular) are affecting young people.

Iain Dalton, Yorkshire YFJ

The rally was jointly organised by Youth Fight for Jobs (YFJ) and the PCS (civil servants’ union) Yorkshire and Humber Young Members Network (YMN). Speakers included the local YMN coordinator Matt Meehan and Leeds Metropolitan University Unison young members officer Holly Prosho.

Springboard for solidarity

I ended the rally by highlighting that although small, it had brought together the young members’ officers of six branches across three unions as well as other young trade unionists.

This could be the springboard for supporting each other in the many upcoming struggles against the savage cuts.

Matt and I were interviewed on several radio stations in the run-up to the rally and Look North (local BBC news) covered the protest.

YFJ and the PCS YMN are also jointly hosting a gig on 9 October at 8pm at the Packhorse Pub, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds to raise funds for the Trade Union Rights Campaign-Pakistan appeal to help victims of the floods in Pakistan.

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