Youth Fight for Jobs: Fortnight of action 27 June to 10 July

Jobs not dole

an activist's guide

600,000 young people are about to leave school, college or university and begin looking for jobs in a shattered jobs market.

From Saturday 27 June to Friday 10 July the Youth Fight for Jobs (YFJ) fortnight of action (FoA) will be providing an opportunity to fight for the right to a decent job, training and education for all young people.

Preparing for the fortnight of action

Hold an organising meeting. Set a time and date asap and invite everyone who has given support to YFJ. Propose some plans but be ready to be flexible when people come along with alternative ideas - the main thing is to organise something that can involve lots of local young people. Basic leafleting and postering around schools, colleges, universities, workplaces, youth clubs etc is a good start. But this guide can assist activists to organise bigger and bolder events.

Local demonstration

Pick somewhere that has some relevance to the YFJ issues - such as marching to a local council meeting or MP's surgery or to a notoriously bad employer. Routes don't have to be long. Local trade unions should be able to assist. You can also contact YFJ for advice and assistance.

Publicity stunts

'Fat cat' stunts, ie dressing up as bankers or millionaire MPs, raises the idea of 'pay-offs for the bankers, lay-offs for the workers'.

Walls of shame

Set up a 'wall of shame' in busy shopping areas and town centres where young workers can name and shame 'scrooge' bosses.

Fundraising gigs

A good way to raise money for the campaign and offer young people a night out! Contact local bands and make sure someone makes a speech about what YFJ stands for, encouraging young people to get involved with the campaign, and make sure that leaflets are distributed.

Public meetings

Speak to local trade unionists and socialists about booking rooms. Send a notice to the local media. Ensure that leaflets and posters are widely distributed. Prepare a short speech, as well as inviting trade unionists to speak. YFJ can also send national spokespeople if required.

Building for your events

Contact YFJ on 020 8558 7947 or youthfightforjobs@ gmail.com for posters, leaflets, and petitions.
Approach local trade union branches for support for the FoA. Ask for a donation. YFJ can provide model resolutions and appeal letters. Branches of the PCS civil servants' union, that backed YFJ at their recent national conference, and the education workers' trade unions such as NUT, UCU and Unison may give support.
Approach student unions about speaking to college or student unions or to politics classes or even PSE classes at schools.
Send a press release to local newspapers, radio and TV.
YFJ can provide a model press release. Ring up to check the press release has been received and to apply some pressure!
Let YFJ know details of your plans so they can be advertised on the website.
Use Facebook.

Make your event loud and colourful. YFJ t-shirts can be ordered for Ł5 each. Flags, banners, posters will help.