Bold UK reforms needed to ward off 'volatile cocktail' of issues for young workers, Nautilus general secretary tells TUC Young Workers' Conference

Nautilus International general secretary Mark Dickinson outlined three key priorities for improving the lives of the UK's young workers at the Trades Union Council (TUC) Young Workers' Conference on 22 March 2025. These included delivering the UK government's Employment Rights Bill in full, fighting the rising threat of the far right, and strengthening the trade union movement.

Employment rights

Young workers are facing a 'volatile cocktail of issues', including soaring rents, worsening mental health, and insecure, low-paying jobs, Mr Dickinson said. The TUC's top priority is to ensure the government delivers on the landmark Employment Rights Bill, which he described as 'the biggest upgrade to workers' and union rights in a generation'. The bill aims to ban exploitative zero-hours contracts; introduce day-one unfair dismissal rights; improve sick pay and parental leave; and boost the minimum wage while giving protections from third-party harassment.

Mr Dickinson said the bill was a victory for union campaigning and a significant step toward fairer employment practices. 'These changes will benefit young workers the most. Half a million young people on zero-hours contracts will finally gain protections, and 400,000 aged 18 to 20 will benefit from the minimum wage uplift.'

Confronting the far-right threat

The second major priority Mr Dickinson outlined was the need to combat the growing influence of the far right. Citing the rise of extremist movements in the US, Europe, and the UK, he warned that the threat is greater now than at any point since the 1930s. The TUC has launched a new anti-far right strategy with a focus on promoting solidarity and equality, particularly by addressing racial inequality. 'You cannot combat the far right without tackling racial injustice,' said Mr Dickinson, adding that unions will play a key role by raising awareness in workplaces and organising for better conditions.

Strengthening union power

The union movement also needed to grow and diversify, Mr Dickinson said. With workers under 35 now representing 25% of union members, down from 35% in 1995, he called for a renewed focus on organising. Recent successes included union breakthroughs at traditionally anti-union companies like Ryanair and new recognition agreements with Uber and Deliveroo.

'The Employment Rights Bill will help level the playing field for us. Not just by repealing the current anti-trade union legislation, but by giving us new rights to access workplaces, organise workers and gain recognition.'

Mr Dickinson added that the new fair pay agreement in social care was a hopeful sign of better sectoral bargaining in other sectors too – including maritime. The TUC is currently working with Nautilus and the RMT to establish mandatory pay and employment standards for the short sea and ferry sectors, he said.

'My message today is simple: keep up the fantastic work, keep organising, and keep fighting for change.'

Mr Dickinson, who is also president of the TUC, was speaking on behalf of Nautilus International, which represents maritime professionals in the UK, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.