Organising our Future

This conference recognises: The difficulties facing young workers regarding rates of pay, conditions at work, the rise of precarious employment and lack of progression opportunities. The importance of encouraging, engaging and empowering young people to connect with our movement to secure its future and that of the Decent Work Agenda. Falling union density particularly amongst young workers under 35 years. Taking into account the work already undertaken with young people through the YouthConnect programme, it is critical that we continue to connect directly with students and young workers, particularly those closer to the labour market, to ensure that they understand the premium and bene ts of union membership. Therefore, we call on this Conference to direct the incoming Executive Council to prioritise the following initiatives: Include young workers as a separate organising cohort in any strategic organising initiatives within Congress. Establish a dynamic organising campaign targeting young people of different age cohorts to join unions, particularly low-paid precarious workers. Such campaigns should be: informed by external research undertaken to create a sectoral pro le of workers under 35, internal research to create a pro le and map of trade union members under 35 followed by a series of direct engagements to identify the needs and expectations of young workers, both members and non-members; established, developed and led by the ICTU Youth committee, and where deemed appropriate and relevant, in collaboration with other youth focussed and youth representative organisations such as student unions and youth groups. A youth awareness, education and engagement programme which can be utilised by local trade union activists, education unions, organisers and local trades councils to engage with students and young workers in their own community and local areas.