Young trade unionists from all over Scotland will meet at the Salutation Hotel in Perth today and Sunday (1-2 July) to discuss issues facing young people in Scotland during the 66th Annual STUC Youth Conference.
The event will be chaired by TGWU Official Andy Brady, 25, from Glasgow. Speaking prior to Conference Andy said:
“We meet in Perth knowing that the rate of trade unionisation amongst young people is low. For every five members leaving trade unions because of retirement only one new young member is joining – a figure we are campaigning to change.
“During Conference we will be discussing issues relevant to all young Scots. As part of our wider efforts to address sectarianism, racism and fascism the Committee has opened up a dialogue with the Young Muslim community and we will debate this issue over the weekend
“We continue to campaign for the removal of the discriminatory age rates in the national minimum wage and exemptions within the modern apprenticeships. While traditional apprenticeships continue to have far lower drop out rates, due to confidence in the quality of training and future prospects, as the apprenticeship becomes less traditional such as in retail, distribution and hospitality the early drop out rate increases to nearly one in two. Low apprenticeship pay drives young people, women in particular, out of training.”
It is for all these reasons and many others the STUC Youth Committee has launched a ‘Vision for Young people in Scotland’ incorporating all our campaigns. We will be campaigning over the next year to encourage all organisations representing young people will sign up to our vision and establish a collective force for change.
ENDS