Organized by AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler, the “Next Up” Young Workers Summit was the first of its kind, and it didn’t take long for the conference to prove it was unlike any other. To get the younger generation involved in the labor movement, you must better communicate its message through new and creative tools, and the "Next Up" Summit did just this. From start to finish, technology was all-encompassing as Facebook, Twitter and text messaging comments took over the live Webcast page of the AFL-CIO site, and an effective, interactive poll surveyed attendees on such topics as union demographics, career choices, economic conditions and more.

 

Through panels, presentations, breakout sessions, and question and answer discussions, the event successfully enabled the group of 400-strong to come together for a candid conversation with union leaders. The attendees from across the country had not only the opportunity to voice their opinions about the labor world but to also give feedback to leadership on what they felt were important changes to be made in capturing the younger, working generation as an important, and frequently overlooked, group of organized labor.

 

"The 'Next Up' Summit was an amazing opportunity to meet with other young people who care about the future of the labor movement," says attendee Jacqui Smith, a member of the NATCA Reloaded Committee committed to mentoring the newest generation of air traffic controllers. "We worked on strategies to recruit, engage and develop young activists, which all ties into the work that Reloaded is doing. You could literally feel the energy in the room. It’s an exciting time to get involved with this and it’s good to see that this is a priority of the AFL-CIO and NATCA."

 

With the goal in mind to collaborate a long-term young union member outreach program, Schuler made it clear from the start that the ideas of young workers would be heard and taken seriously. “We need you,” she declared. “We are here to make the union world work with you.”

In his speech last Friday, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka stood just as firmly in his dedication to the newest generation and the labor movement as a whole. “This is our country, and by God, it should reflect our values.”

 

In discussing the obstacles unions are faced with, Trumka made note of the very issue that sits at the heart of every NATCA member – the firing of America’s air traffic controllers.  “[Reagan] proved that nothing—not even the safety of our airways—was more important than breaking a union... That terrified America's workers. It stole our security. It scared us then, and it frightens us still today.”

 

While emphasizing what he refers to as "people power,” Trumka requested this of the crowd: “I believe we can and will fix a lot of this—and I want you to believe that and fight for that with me… We can’t win that fight without you.”

 

 

 

Check out http://www.aflcio.org/aboutus/youthsummit/ for event highlights.

 

Click here to read Trumka's full remarks.

Click here to read an AFL-CIO blog entry (June 11) featuring the event.