Rebecca Crocker, London Transport Regional Council Young Members' Officer gives her insight into Taking the Power back and Current issues that she feels affect all young members in our union.

You might ask, ‘what’s the point of having a young members’ section of the union’? Well ...

If more young people don't get involved, the union movement will literally DIE. The average age at union branch meetings is 40+.

Unions should fight over issues that young people care about.

Employers take advantage of young workers being clueless about their rights. According to a recent TUC survey, workers between the ages of 16-24 make up nearly a third of the total workforce in hotels and restaurants in the UK - so there are a lot of people our age working in bars, shops, restaurants, call centres - with bullying managers, long hours and unpaid overtime.

What are young RMT members in London doing?

We are getting young people involved with the union for the first time. You may never have thought you could be the local rep, get involved with the young members, work at Glastonbury behind the bar, etc.... We will give you the support and encouragement you need. With 40 being the average age at union branches, we decided, ‘if young people are not going to the union, we will go to you’. We’ve asked for your views about what would get you involved for the first time.

We’ve organised events for young members, such as training days or social activities, based on what you’ve asked for. If you can see the RMT is doing something for you, we hope you will get involved and get other people you work with along as well.

We want to train hundreds of young workers to know your basic rights. By knowing what managers can and can't get away with, you can stop managers in their tracks and confidently come together to stand your ground.

Why is all this so important?

Life is short, you're too busy to take on something new. But getting involved in the union doesn’t have to mean giving up loads of time going to loads of meetings. The most important thing is to stand up for yourself and your mates at work when managers take advantage. Unions exist to fight the employers and they should be strongest in your workplace. You need to take the power back! Your managers pay your wages but you owe them nothing. If all members, particularly young members who may be new to the union, stand up to every abuse, you will prove that when we come together to stand up for our rights, we are strong – to fight everyday problems like shifts changed at short notice, and the big fights like pay.

In 2010 the government will look to lift the current £3000 a year limit on university fees. Soon we could see a return to times when working class people can't consider university, as they simply won't be able to afford it. The situation here will be like America, where fees could be £40‐50 grand a year, and someone like George Bush can buy a degree from Harvard.

Not everyone wants to go to university. But soon working class young people won't have the choice!

NATIONAL DEMONSTRATION, WEDNESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2009, LONDON 11am, Malet Street, London. Against all fees! Free education for all!

If you have an idea of a learning or team building event you would like the committee to consider, Email: RMTYOUNGCOMRADE@GMAIL.COM With ‘Crocker’s Corner’ in the Subject