Socialist Organiser

The weekly of the fused Workers Socialist League, July 1981 to April 1984

[Trade Union Rights cam- schemes. How do we…]

Socialist Organiser no. 70, 28 January 1982 · scan p. 15 · about 526 words

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Trade Union Rights cam- schemes. How do we keep paign. the union active when the LAST Saturday, 23rd, in Manchester, 60 young people from around the country attended a conference organised by the YOP Centres, most of which vucsllt nrecent cimilar mintire It is important for militants in the CPSA and SCPS to start working towards non-implementation the proposed schemes like ethnic monitoring and initiate action similar to that undertaken by staff in London offices.

Given the response of the unions' national leaderships-leaflet the doles and do nothing-the building of i movement ranahle nf fioht. ing these measures is of the utmost importance.

The conférence discussed the problems of unionising the cheap " The future of this country will be In the hands of those very teenagers Y.O.P.is helping today.

The T.U.C's behind it all the way"

LAST Wednesday, Manchester students occupied the University's main administraleadership has to leave? (YOP schemes only last for three months to one year). tion block in protest against proposed education cuts.

As messages of support arrived from students unions around the country the morale of the occupation grew. The Laurence Scott strikers also sent a message of support expressing solidarity.

Dennis Barry, convenor How do we find where the YOP schemes are, so that we can get them organised?

It was suggested that each of the local groupe tries to make links with their local NALGO and CPSA branches, whose members often have access to the whereabouts of the schemes in the area.

Solidarity

The question of the trade union and Labour Party leadership was taken up, and the conference decided to apply more pressure on the union leadership in order to get real solidarity - rather than the unqualified support that the TUC gives the government to keep the YOP schemes going.

It was suggested that local Trades Councils should refuse to cooperate with YOP schemes and refuse to approve cheap The question of YOP rights, it was pointed out, is as political as the fight against the Employment Act. By law YOP workers do not have any rights. They are not covered by the Employment Protection Act. When the managers and supervisors sack and suspend YOP workers, they are within their legal rights.

The second half of the conference discussed the importance of highlighting Tebbit's new $15 a week scheme and building for a one-day strike of YOP workers with a youth lobby of Parliament on February 25. This is realistic. There is certainly a feeling among YOP workers for militant action.

Coaches The aim is to get over three thousand youth from around the country to the lobby. Already coaches are booked in Scotland, Bristol, Liverpool and other places.

NUPE have been helpful in providing the coaches and all areas should take the initiative to organise a coach and fight to get their local YOP workers out on the 25th to make a real impact.

The lobby will manding:

• Full trade union rates of pay, • A guaranteed job for all trainees at the end of the scheme, • Free travel to work for YOPs, • Five weeks' paid holiday a year.

MICK LIGGINS

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