07.09.2001
Unsatisfactory employment and infrastructure situation in London
Greater London Association of Trade Union Councils (GLATUC) calls for an “umbrella” campaign for publicly-provided services
Young adults in London experience an unsatisfactory situation with regard to their employment. Many either lack skills or their skills are not used. Unskilled young people typically work in casual and temporary jobs. Unemployment or inappropriate employment among graduates is once again becoming a factor. There has been an increase in the numbers of students in further and higher education. They work in the service sector, thus supplying an abundance of labour which increases the diffuclty in organizing this sector and removing gross economic exploitation. London’s vast service sector is largely non-unionised.
Additionally, the high cost of housing and the lack of social housing affect especially young people.
The reconstruction of London’s infrastructure – transport, housing, education – is an urgent necessity. Of these services the governement at national, regional and local level is the most efficient provider.
Unfortunately, the British government has quickened the rate and broadened the scope of – mostly transnational - privatisation regarding essential services such as railways, water, electricity, gas and local authority services. Inefficient services, artificial profits and unjustified payments of dividends to shareholders are produced and fundamental problems of management and workforce skills are created. London’s trade unions are united in rejecting privatisation and achieving direct public control of services and have therefore recently taken a number of initiatives:
GLATUC has called for an “umbrella” campaign for publicly-provided services. The association also looks to co-operate with the finance sector union UNIFI in raising trade union conciousness among City finance sector and services workers. Trade unions are starting to work with the National Union of Students and its local associations to recruit into joint membership that high proportion of students who work as well as study.
GLATUC doubts if profit motive is compatible with a commitment to democratic public services.
GLATUC has welcomed the development of a large anti-capitalist and anti-globalisation movement and suggests the development of co-ordination between capital cities to strengthen activity and international links against capitalist globalisation.
