YOUNG TRADE UNIONISTS MEET

RMT helpline 0800 3763706 :: june 2010 :: RMTnews 33 Conference was chaired by TUCs Youth Member on the General Council John Walsh. Around 80 delegates from 18 unions attended this year’s young members’ conference and I was elected by the RMT executive to represent the union. Each union can submit two motions which are then composited into three key statements. YOUNG PEOPLE AND THE RECESSION Youth unemployment rates for 16-24 year olds is increasing and conference agreed that the trade union movement must campaign for decent jobs for young people. Instead of bailing out the bankers, money should be spent on investing on our public services and creating jobs and affordable homes for all. Conference called on the TUC to use the media and public demonstrations as part of the campaign, working with trade unions, trades councils, service users and communities. Delegates also called for a campaign to equalise the National Minimum Wage for all workers from the age of 16. ORGANISING YOUNG WORKERS RMT made clear that the organisation young people into trade unions was crucial. “Trade unionism should be seriously discussed in schools and young people should know their rights and are issued with a TUC Contact card. “Trade unions should play their part by ensuring that young people are fully involved in their union and organise and develop young members’ structures,” the motion said. YOUNG PEOPLE AND LOW PAY Delegates recognised that many companies have apprenticeship schemes that have given young people excellent opportunities to develop skills and career opportunities. However, conference was disappointed that TUC general council had still not campaigned for the adult rate of the minimum wage to start from 18. Conference noted that apprentices earn £2.50 an hour and agreed that the minimum wage should be just that, and the adult rate should be applied from 16. DEMOCRACY WORKS Last year, RMT Central Line West branch submitted a motion to RMT’s young members conference calling for the TUC young members conference to submit a motion to the TUC in line with other equality conferences. This motion was passed and sent to our annual general meeting. I witnessed the debate at the AGM and was amazed at the support it was given. The motion was sent to the TUC Congress in Liverpool last year and was backed by delegates. If you ever wanted to see how democracy works that this is a very good example, underlining how democracy is the lifeblood of the whole trade union movement. So, in short, the one young RMT member changed TUC policy using democratic RMT structures. Confernece discussed whether unions continue to submit two motions to be made into key statements or whether to have motion based conferences. As the RMT delegate, I argued that motion based conferences are the only truly democratic way of making sure that voices are heard. I believe that the TUC should make time in their conference to organise and educate young members how to efficiently recruit through workshops. If there are any young people in your workplace, who are not in the union, use this article to persuade them to join. For further information, you can email the National Young Members Committee at youngmembers@rmtmail.org.uk YOUNG TRADE UNIONISTS MEET Adrian Rowe reports on the TUC young members conference in Birmingham