Skills debate is about organising workers

I want to thank him for the personal stories he shared with us and I am sure we all know similar ones. Every single case is another argument against capitalism.

Yet I think he is mistaken in describing unskilled work as "menial" and "deadening, monotonous and lacking in fulfilment or any sense of creativity." I must agree with Donna Braithwaite, and I suspect most working-class people, that we derive pleasure from working hard and enjoy that sense of achievement when you finish a decent day's work.

It is with this same dignity that trade unionists fight for decent working conditions.

It is not the nature of work that is the problem, it is determined by terms and conditions.

Indeed how does John imagine a socialist Britain functioning without supposedly "menial" jobs? These would still exist but the work would be carried out in much better conditions in line with proper health and safety standards.

The workers would benefit from proper terms and conditions, they would be well rested, have the required time off to enjoy the benefits of a wider socialist society - decent housing, education, health care and good access to cultural and sporting facilities.

Workers living in such conditions would be more productive and would be able to work harder.

The problem in work is low pay, long hours and bad health and safety standards, particularly within a wider capitalist society.

Rather than insulting unskilled workers, the answer lies in organising workers, fighting for better terms and conditions at work, and ultimately struggling for a socialist society.

George Waterhouse
Young members rep, Manchester South RMT