YOUNG workers today are channelling their frustration into action, refusing to be sidelined any longer.

Data reveals that those under 35 are increasingly dissatisfied with current political systems, spurred by years of unmet promises.

This generation is ready to fight for change, viewing socialism as a beacon of hope in a capitalist society that has consistently let them down.

In Britain, this discontent has sparked a renewed focus on organising and winning in the workplace, from small-scale actions to major strikes and collective efforts.

The crisis facing young workers

In 2024, young workers are grappling with the aftermath of a failed budget and a cost-of-living crisis. Real wages are shrinking in the face of rising inflation, stagnant pay and frozen tax thresholds, eroding their living standards.

Homeownership, or council houses with social rents, remain a distant dream for many, and the rental market, dominated by greedy landlords and soaring house prices, forces young workers to expend their hard-earned wages on exorbitant rents and bills.

This financial strain often compels them to live with their families longer than desired.

The power of the trade union movement

Recent history suggests that trade unions are some of the most effective tools workers have to combat injustice. Through collective action, unions have secured numerous victories for better wages, safer working conditions, and social justice.

The past few years have seen a resurgence in industrial action, with strikes becoming more frequent across various sectors. In 2022, over 1.7 million working days were lost to industrial action, the highest since 1990.

This trend continued into 2023 and 2024, affecting education, healthcare, transport, and postal services, among others.

Recent industrial disputes and strikes

In 2022, the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers union led a series of strikes that paralysed the rail network, highlighting the dire state of public transport funding and the harsh working conditions faced by staff.

In 2023, the National Education Union (NEU) organised strikes involving tens of thousands of teachers across England and Wales, demanding inflation-matching pay rises and adequate school funding. These strikes caused widespread school closures and pressured the government to negotiate.

The NHS also witnessed significant strike action, with nurses and junior doctors staging unprecedented walkouts. The British Medical Association (BMA) and the Royal College of Nursing spotlighted critical issues of understaffing and underfunding, exacerbated by the pandemic.

These strikes garnered public sympathy and forced the government to address some of the healthcare system's most pressing issues.

Currently, the BMA remains on strike, successfully pushing its issues and demands to the forefront of the electoral agenda. However, the NEU is not on strike nationally.

Some people in our union, including significant members of our leadership, feared failing a strike ballot and recommended against voting for it at our conference. 

This decision has left members further demobilised, after we’d been told to accept a below-inflation pay offer.

Without a national ballot, disengagement is likely to increase.

However, London and a few other places are exceptions, as they’re experiencing a wave of strikes. Despite the lack of national action, there is hope that local disputes and organising will build militancy.

The necessity of organising

Organising in the workplace is essential. It builds solidarity, amplifies our collective voice, and provides the structure needed to challenge management.

A single worker’s cry for justice might be ignored, but a united workforce cannot be silenced.

Unions offer the resources, experience and support needed to win higher wages, reduced workloads, dignity, and more autonomy in the workplace.

Steps to organise and win

To transform workplaces and society, young workers must act now. Here’s how they can start organising:

1. Identify the Issues: Determine the reasons for organising, such as pay, working conditions, or management practices. Build relationships with colleagues, listen to their concerns, and gather support.

2. Starting Conversations: Use informal questions to open discussions:
        • “Have you heard about…?”
        • “How do you feel about…?”
        • “Are you concerned about…?”

These open-ended questions help delve deeper into concerns. Listening, showing care, and avoiding assumptions can unite a union group, ready to present ideas to senior staff.

3. Understand How Change Occurs: Learn how change happens within the organisation. Identify who holds the power and who might support and listen to you.

4. Taking Action: Organising meetings and drafting formal letters can sometimes prompt change. However, a formal ballot and strike may be necessary, requiring careful planning and timing.

5. Achieving Victories: “Winning” can vary, from small changes in meetings to significant wins on pay and conditions. Building momentum and movement is crucial, and over time, small victories accumulate, leading to substantial improvements benefiting the entire workplace or sector.

Conclusion

The disaffection of young workers presents an opportunity. By organising in the workplace and engaging in collective union action, young workers can improve their lives and those of others.

Through socialism, we can transform the workplace for the better. As members of the NEU, we must support this movement and strive for a society grounded in justice and equality.

Together, we can ensure a future of empowerment and hope, free from insecurity and disillusionment.