TUC Next Generation Union Accord
INTRODUCTION
Access to good quality apprenticeships and higher education has become increasingly difficult. Young workers are finding themselves in low paid, vulnerable employment with high incidences of employment rights abuse.
REASON FOR CAMPAIGN
Youth unemployment stands at record levels. The unemployment rate for 16 - 24 year olds far exceeds that of the adult workforce and is escalating at twice the rate. When the upturn comes, it is likely this trend will continue.
Choices are narrowing as unemployment increases - jobs remain concentrated in low skilled, low paying sectors, and unpaid volunteering is the only route for many professions. Competition for decent apprenticeships and university placement intensifies with supply lagging behind demand.
Research has shown high levels of employment rights abuses and poor health and safety for young people. Union membership is particularly low among younger workers and we cannot allow them to get caught up in today's recession to become a lost generation.
ACTION
We've signed the TUC Next Generation Union Accord. Now is the time for action from the Government, employers and unions to provide young people with opportunities for jobs and training that will guarantee their future.
We call on the Government to:
- increase the number of quality apprenticeships in the public and private sector
- ensure that a Job Guarantee (ensuring at least six months employment paid at national minimum wage for long term unemployed young people) becomes a permanent feature of the welfare to work system
- guarantee and enforce the rights of young people entering work through internships, preventing their exploitation
- widen access to affordable Higher Education
- ensure effective enforcement of the national minimum wage and boost young people's earnings by increasing the minimum wage by more than average earnings
- promote the use of public procurement as a way of getting more employers to provide employment and training opportunities for young people
We call on employers to:
- invest in young people, provide jobs and training opportunities to build their future
- take on apprentices and pay them a proper wage, recognising and applying collective agreements where they exist
- respect the rights of volunteers and interns, paying the National Minimum Wage as required
- work with Jobcentre Plus to make sure vacancies are available to all
- engage in Government programmes that enable taking on long term unemployed young people, like the Future Jobs Fund
As trade unions we will:
- become advocates for apprenticeships, Future Jobs Fund and other employment and training programmes for young people, providing placements within our own organisations for apprentices, interns and Future Jobs Fund workers where possible
- develop the capacity of our reps to support and mentor young people entering the workplace, particularly those through the Government schemes
- negotiate with employers to develop agreements on training and apprenticeships, providing opportunities for young people
- provide tailored support for apprentices, raising awareness of their rights and demonstrating the value of the union#
- launch targeted recruitment and organise drives for younger workers, particularly those young people in unionised workplaces who are not yet members
- provide specific support for young people entering work as interns and volunteers, ensuring that their employment rights are upheld and they are paid when eligible
- promote the benefits of trade union membership to working students, through partnership with NUS and student unions
- develop more young members to become activists within our unions and to build young members' representation within our own structures
The TUC will:
- co-ordinate, where necessary and practical, joint union responses to issues affecting young workers
- provide training through the Organising Academy and TUC Education via the TUC Activist Academy
- provide resources and other support to unions reps and officers
- develop relationships with other partner organisations who share TUC objectives and priorities in relation to supporting young workers
- promote best practice in engaging and supporting young workers
- work with student unions, schools and colleges to raise awareness of trade unions among young people before they enter the world of work
HOW YOU CAN HELP
If you're working in the maritime sector and not already a member of Nautilus International, join now by clicking here. Why should you become a member? Click here.
