CWU supports student protest

Thousands of students and young people are set to demonstrate in London today (Wednesday) against rises in tuition fees and what's being seen as a privatisation of education. The Communication Workers Union is supporting the protests in what it calls a "sustained attack on young people" by the government.

Billy Hayes, CWU general secretary, said: "This coalition government has led a sustained attack on young people by trebling tuition fees and presiding over the highest youth unemployment on record.

"Tens of thousands of young people have been priced out of university education by this Cabinet of millionaires. The government shouldn't be surprised by the level of protest and opposition by students and young people.

"We're strongly supporting today's protest and the ongoing campaign by students and young people against the attacks on their life chances."

General secretary Billy Hayes got caught up in the kettling of students by police in protests last year - being held for more than six hours in Westminster - and has since spoken at a number of student rallies.

CWU is the largest union in the communications sector with over 207,000 members in post, telecoms, mobile and financial services industries.