Young shopworkers struggle

A survey of young members by shopworkers’ union Usdaw has found that a lack of available hours is having a real impact on their ability to afford the cost of living.

The survey found significant underemployment, with two-thirds of young people contracted to work less than 24 hours a week. Of those, more than three-quarters needed extra hours to make ends meet.

Over half said they had no money left after paying bills.

The union aims to tackle the problem by negotiating an end to youth rates, preventing the introduction of zero hours contracts and talking to employers about short-hours contracts.

www.usdaw.org.uk/newsevents/news/2013/oct/thescourgeofyouth.aspx