THE AUEW will now be recruiting Youth Opportunities' scheme workers to ranks, delegates to the AUEW youth conference were told on March by union president Terry Duffy.
Duffy's announcement follows months of demonstrations and rallies, mainly organised YOPs Trade Union Rights LPYS-backed Campaign. Both Transport and General Workers Union and the National Union of Public Employees have already come out favour of unionising YOPs.
On 24 February 3,000 YOPs workers lobbied parliament in a massive Youth Representative (in a personal capacity)
display oI anger and frustration the hope' future being offered nem ov une coverc The campaign provoked a public clash with Norman Tebbit, whose new proposals youth unemployment amount to more Save labour.
It seems that with 1¼ million youth on the dole urasLic measures are needed. The £23.50 per week which the govermment now bosses who take on YOPs workers incentive for eye wasn't enough ploitation.
So Tebbit's new trainIng scales will give we bosses £15 per week for days' WOrK which will go, not to the youth but to their parents.
cave refuse they will be docked SIX WCCKS dole.
Tebbit's proposals, linked to his antior a concerted Torre rive , are part of a concerted to push down workers' living standards and smash their ability to fight back.
Youths' fightback against Tebbit can add the campaign against his campaign against his anti-union Bill if the unions reach out to it.
Untortunatelv although unions responded to the YOPS workers' growing anger, they • restrict themselves calling for an increase in the wage allowance to £30 But this will still allow the Tories undercut all wages, as it will be cheaper to employ a YOPs worker to do the same job as an older workers but for half the pre AUEW's decision shows that a determined mass campaign can force even the Duffys of this world to offer a lead. But success depends on at rank and file level.
Region (Midlands) TGWU Broad Left has decided to campaign for T&G branches to recruit YOPs workers and unemployed youth. This is the kind of campaign that union branches up and country should be waging.
By campaigning together with the IS to se fully democratic and functioning youth structures. it w ill be possible 1o unite YOPs workers with factory against Boorbo! Tebbit's latest attacks.