Doug Nicholls, UNITE/CYWU, reports that a successful rally on the JNC pay claim was held on Saturday. Turnout was not brilliant but quality was excellent and the arguments against cutting pay and public services were put entirely convincingly. The JNC Staff Side statement on Youth Work is a helpful addition to the struggle and could be usefully circulated again also at this time.

Staff Side:In Defence of Youth Work statement

Whilst Malcolm Ball, UNISON, comments, went to the JNC Rally on Saturday. Being it was in London and I was going on about it, it was probably a good idea to make myself useful. Although, as usual, there could have been more people, the actual enthusiasm and lack of inter union squabbling was brilliant. The commitment both from the platform and the floor to work supportively and collectively was heartening.Obviously a large sub theme was around the cuts, financial situation etc and the potential ramifications All stuff we’ve been chatting about.

In addition we’re pleased to attach Andy Driver’s speech from the day, which ends:

We are facing, along with all our colleagues in the public sector, and indeed with working people, pensioners, the unemployed, the sick, disabled people and anyone who is not in the Tories inner circle of privilege, a huge attack and a major struggle over the next few years. We need to go away from the rally determined to resist the cuts and fight for what we believe is right.

Andy Driver : Speech to JNC Pay Rally 5th June 2010

Early evidence of threats to funding for work with young people comes with the news that the government has removed the ring-fence around the £40.8m allocated to the youth opportunity fund. The fund was established as part of the Youth Matters green paper in 2005 and has proved popular for giving young people the power to decide how hundreds of millions of pounds of government money should be spent on youth projects and facilities.

Youth Opportunity Fund?