The Connecticut AFL-CIO passed a resolution yesterday at their Biennial Political Convention in Hartford, CT establishing a young workers committee to develop a young workers program that will look both at ways to engage young workers in the labor movement and legislation to push to address the crisis facing young workers in the labor market. As far as I can tell, this is the second state federation to establish a young workers committee and the first following the AFL-CIO’s Young Workers Summit.
Here’s the resolution:
Resolution #15: Support Young Workers
WHEREAS, the continued strength and vitality of the labor movement depends heavily on the ability of younger union members to develop into strong and effective labor leaders; and
WHEREAS, a powerful labor movement can be built only through recognition and inclusion of the full diversity of the labor force, including workers of all ages; and
WHEREAS, the economic crisis has had its most significant impact on young workers, and that combined with the changing nature of work and the lack of union density in industries with many young workers; and
WHEREAS, the National AFL-CIO convened a Young Workers Summit in June to hear from young workers as to the initiatives and programs that will bring young workers into the labor movement at the national, state, and local levels, to which three delegates from Connecticut attended; and
WHEREAS, the Massachusetts AFL-CIO has successfully established a “Futures” program with a Futures Committee and a Futures representative on their Executive Council and Central Labor Councils; and
WHEREAS, the Hartford Central Labor Council has successfully established an “Emerging Leader” seat on their board and appointed a union member under 35 to that position;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Connecticut AFL-CIO establish a Young Workers Committee, which will develop a Young Workers Program for the Connecticut AFL-CIO to help educate affiliated unions on ways to reach out to younger members, recruit younger members into the movement, and draw attention to the unique issues and perspectives of younger workers, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Connecticut AFL-CIO address the crisis that young workers are facing in this recession by supporting legislation that creates jobs and education/training opportunities for those entering the workforce.
