PCS Young Members Network forum

Ian Pattison

PCS Young members network lobby the TUC, photo Paul Mattsson

I was lucky enough to represent Youth Fight for Jobs by speaking at the civil service union PCS Young Members Network (YMN) annual forum. The PCS YMN is an inspiration to other trade union youth networks.

The PCS has been at the forefront of the battle against Con-Dem austerity. It has been key to building united industrial action, and it has organised countless strikes.

The PCS identified mass coordinated strike action as a way to build for a 24-hour general strike when it was discussed at the TUC.

And Tory Cabinet Minister Francis Maude has singled out PCS in his attacks on trade unions.

I was joined in the youth debate by Martin Mulligan from the RMT Young Members Network. Socialist Party members Lizi Gray (Newcastle Slutwalk) and Lee Vernon also joined me on the panel.

Lee was elected chair of the PCS YMN for the next year, alongside another Left Unity (PCS's broad left) member, who was elected vice-chair.

Fifteen people came to the Left Unity fringe meeting, many at their first YMN and Left Unity meeting, including trade unionists from outside of PCS who promised to develop a network like Left Unity within their own trade unions.

There was a lot of enthusiasm for the new Youth Fight for Jobs initiative 'Sick Of Your Boss?', especially how it can be used in PCS-organised workplaces to reach new young (and angry) workers.

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