IAM members from various industries gathered at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center to participate in the IAM Young Workers Program. The event was organized by Dee Colbert, Director of IAM Women’s and Young Workers, with the aim of helping members develop Young Worker Committees within their local unions.
The weeklong program focused on hands-on training and leadership development. Participants were introduced to different aspects of union work and given opportunities to build skills relevant to union leadership.
“This initiative is designed to engage and empower the next generation of union members by providing them with exposure to a wide range of departments, leaders, and opportunities within our movement,” said Colbert. “It is imperative that we give young workers meaningful experiences that deepen their understanding of union values and help shape their leadership mindset as they prepare for long, successful careers in the labor movement.”
The curriculum covered topics such as IAM history, strategic planning, parliamentary procedure, generational diversity, public speaking, organizing on issues important to workers, common sense economics, human rights, and how to establish effective committees. Sessions were led by experienced educators from IAM.
Participants worked in groups to create strategic plans for starting Young Workers Committees in their own unions. One group used a podcast format for their presentation as an example of using new media channels for outreach.
The IAM Communications Department provided a session on messaging strategies aimed at helping participants communicate more effectively with union members and support committee-building efforts when they return home.
Senior leaders including General Secretary-Treasurer Dora Cervantes, Special Assistant Bryan Pinette, and Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen spoke with attendees during the week. They shared personal experiences from their time in the union and encouraged young members to take active roles in shaping its future.
