‘Victory to Palestine!’ rang out through the streets of Central Manchester on Day 15 of the Young Socialists March for Jobs to the TUC Congress, from London to Liverpool.
The March for Jobs joined the Palestinian Action Group’s tent on the second night of their occupation of the pavement outside of a shop selling Israeli goods.
Shueyb Sheikh, from Manchester Palestinian Action and a student in Manchester University, said: ‘We are here in King Street, and we have been for months demonstrating in front of the shop.
‘The shop sells pro-Israeli products from the Dead Sea which is in Occupied Palestine. The money goes to the Israeli government and is used for weapons to be used against Palestinians.
‘Since yesterday we have begun to camp out on the pavement. Our aim is to shut down the shop.
‘I am for, “One Country, One State, Palestine, from the River to the Sea”, with Jerusalem as its capital and the return of all lands and the right to return of all refugees.
‘I also give full support to the Young Socialists March for Jobs. I am a student and when I finish my degree I don’t know if I will get a job, there are jobs out there, but it’s what sort of jobs. My friend works in a fast food restaurant and he is a psychology graduate.
‘I want to march all the way to Liverpool.’
Earlier in the day, John Hughes, Unite member and Labour Councillor for Manchester, left his sick bed to meet the marchers on their way in to Manchester.
He said: ‘Young people are our future. we need to create jobs. I have a son who has just completed his degree and he can’t get a job. He has a good degree in Media and Filming and he is at yet another interview today.
‘This march is showing that young people have to stand up for what they believe in. The TUC will have to listen to you and take note of what you are saying. This government aren’t listening and when they do they just ignore.
‘I think a General Strike would not go amiss, it would show the government that the people do feel upset.
‘Zero hours contracts should be scrapped. I met you four years ago on your last march from Manchester to London and I am really, really pleased to meet you all again.’
Greeting the marchers, the Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU), gave them an overwhelming reception.
Roy Streeter, BFAWU Regional Officer, said: ‘I have got two children. One principal I support in the trade union movement is that you are looking after your job for the next generation, and we have not done very well at that with all this agency work and zero hours contracts.
‘How are youth going to start a family if they haven’t got a permanent job. We support the Young Socialists march 100%, but I would say this: Don’t put all your trust in the TUC, because of their track record of betrayal, with the miners, the dockers and the General Strike of 1926.’
Pauline Worsnot, BFAWU admin worker, made lots of sandwiches to feed the marchers. She said: ‘The March for Jobs is right. It is very unfair that they are making older people work longer when there are so many young people out of work. Its a topsy-turvey world we live in.’
John Stott, BFAWU admin said: ‘We won a massive victory at Hovis. We won a no zero hours contract and no agency labour agreement unless there is no one on site that can cover.
‘One day strikes are not enough.’