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Young trade unionists have their say
20 March 2008
 |  |  view larger image | | | Young people voice their views at a seminar at ITF headquarters this week | |
Young transport workers are bringing their thoughts and experiences to the table as part of an initiative designed to make the work of the ITF more relevant to people aged 35 and under.
At a taskgroup meeting held at the ITF’s UK headquarters on 18 March, young men and women, representing a broad selection of regions and transport sections, discussed what activities could be organised to make the ITF’s work more attractive to younger workers.
First mooted at the ITF’s Durban Congress following a proposal put forward by the Mongolian Transport, Communications and Petroleum Workers’ Union (MTCP), the initiative was addressed at the ITF executive board. The board suggested that a task group should be established to kick-start activities geared towards young people.
During the meeting, participants discussed a range of issues, including the use of e-media and social networking as tools for furthering the labour movement, as well as ideas for activities aimed at young workers. The deliberations during the meeting are intended to lead to a proposal that will be presented to the ITF executive board meeting.
Ragchaa Bayaraa of the MTCP said: “Members urged us to put forward a proposal at the ITF congress on a strategy to involve more young people in the global trade union movement. The Mongolian population is very young and we need to find ways of training them on labour issues. We also need to be able to convince them of the advantages of being involved in a union.”
Fatima Aguado Queipo, Secretary of the Spanish union CC.OO’s youth and social policy stated: “Young people are social agents, just like anybody else. If we don’t get young people involved in trade unions, will unions still exist in 15 years time? Young people can help create new ways of fighting for better working conditions and can change things in a positive way.”
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