Rising star, Welsh singer Nia Wyn is playing a gig tomorrow (Saturday) supporting a campaign to give young Welsh workers a better start in life. She is endorsing an award-winning UNISON Cymru Wales initiative #RespectYourYouth which aims to raise awareness of the inequality faced by the under-35s in Wales today.
Nia, who is from Llandudno, will be playing a hometown concert in the Great Orme Brewery at 8.30pm. She has won a great deal of praise in the music press for her raw, bluesy vocals.
The UNISON #RespectYourYouth campaign has already garnered the prestigious UK-wide TUC organising award, recently presented by TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady at a ceremony in London.
Chair of UNISON Cymru Wales’ young members and Wrexham council employee Tim Burke said,
“Nia’s an exciting and politically-engaged artist and the music press agree she’s destined for great things. Like us, she’s frustrated young people starting work or uni face a lean time and wants to improve the day-to-day living standards for young people in Wales.
“Wales has a high level of youth unemployment and an apprenticeship system that is not working. If you do have a job there’s a good chance you’re on low pay and a zero hours contract with no prospect of any training. If you’re studying at college there are high tuition fees.
“Our #RespectYourYouth charter has five key demands: a real Living Wage regardless of age – £8.75 an hour for all; quality apprenticeships; fair employment; equality in the workplace and training and development opportunities. We have approached some employers already and they have been supportive and we can’t wait to take it forward to more employers for implementation.”
Notes for editors
- Nia Wyn would be pleased to be interviewed, approaches can be made via the contact below
- The gig will be in the Great Orme Brewery, Llandudno at 8.30pm, Saturday 21 April 2018. A flyer for the concert can be found here. Entrance is by ticket only
- Information on #RespectYourYouth can be found here
- Young Member Martyn David accepted the TUC Youth Campaign Award from TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady on behalf of the UNISON Cymru Wales Young Members Forum on 25 March 2018
Contact
Alastair Gittins, UNISON Press Officer on 07816 538397
