ANSELM ELDERGILL draws attention to a legal case on Tuesday in which a human rights group is challenging the government’s decision to allow the sale of weapons used against Palestinians
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Young people need trade unions – so why do so few join?
TGI FRIDAYS tips campaign activist LAUREN TOWNSEND speaks to the Morning Star for TUC Young Workers’ Conference
Lauren Townsend (centre) on a TGI Friday's tips dispute protest
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BEN CHACKO: Last year TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady warned that union density among young workers is just 8 per cent while 40 per cent of trade union members are 50 or over. Why aren’t young people joining unions?
LAUREN TOWNSEND: There are several reasons that young people are not joining unions — primarily it’s because many young people today just don’t know what a trade union is. There is no trade union education in schools, and thanks to Thatcher's efforts in the ’80s we have many young people entering the world of work today whose parents weren't in a trade union. In a generation’s time these young people likely won't even have had a grandparent in a trade union, and if union membership amongst the under-30s keeps declining at the rate it currently is, unions will simply cease to exist in a few short generations time. We cannot afford to let that happen.
BC: When you and your colleagues at TGI came under attack with the raid on your tips you weren't a member of a union. But you've said having heard about the McStrikers inspired you to start organising.
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