YOUNG MEMBERS NEWS & CAMPAIGNS
UNISON has around 63,000 young members nationally. If you are a UNISON member and under 27 years of age you are automatically entitled to participate as a young member. Why not get involved and help us campaign for the issues affecting young workers? Contact Falkirk UNISON on 01324 503620 (ask for Ruth!) to find out what you can do to help us.
NEWS & CAMPAIGNS - JULY 2013
Our current concentration in Falkirk UNISON Young Members is around the issue of Modern Apprentices.
We fully believe, and received support from our AGM, that Modern Apprentices in Falkirk Council should be paid the Living Wage as the work which they do is comparable to other employees. This is now a matter which will be raised.
If you are a Modern Apprentice or know someone who is and you'd like to be involved with our efforts please do get in touch!
NEWS & CAMPAIGNS - JUNE 2013
National Delegate Conference Liverpool Delegates Back Modern Apprenticeships
"Apprentices should form a major part of our union's future," Susan Kennedy of the service group executive told UNISON local government delegates in Liverpool this afternoon.
She added that a basic wage of £2.65 an hour for modern apprentices is "disgraceful".
Delegates agreed and called for a living wage and proper education and training for all apprentices.
Ms Kennedy called for branches to work with further education colleges to make sure that apprentices get proper training and to prevent unscrupulous employers using them as cheap replacement labour for other workers.
"If you value the work that apprentices do," she told employers, "you must pay them a proper wage, a living wage."
Andrew Thomas of Bolton, a former apprentice himself, added: "We must make sure that apprentices are not the victims of what is effectively theft of what they have earned.
"We must use our collective strength to change the future not just for young people but for everyone."
Pictured : Falkirk UNISON Young Member, Ruth Young takes part in a Show Racism the Red Card event with Leroy Rosenior, Howard Gayle and Vincent Pericard.
