Encouraging the participation of young workers in the USW is the surest way to maintain our strength as a 21st century labour union. We must ensure that we are innovating in how we engage and service our members and that we reflect the needs, interests and activism of our youngest Steelworkers.
Since the last international convention, Canadian NextGen members participated in a one-day conference in advance of the 2023 National Policy Conference in Toronto. Delegates heard from activists on how to raise their voices in the labour movement and about wins made possible thanks to the leadership of young workers. They participated in skill and knowledge-building workshops and reported back on their learning and activism during the wider National Policy Conference.
Many members also attended the USW international NextGen conference in March 2024. More Canadian NextGen members than ever attended this event, taking part in engaging workshops, plenaries and community service projects, and returned home energized and inspired. Since 2022, there have been many district and national conferences. Local unions have made use of the Family and Community Education Fund’s NextGen conference bursaries, enabling more young workers to attend these important events and develop their leadership skills.
Across our three districts, NextGen activists continue to contribute to the labour movement and invest in their local communities. Members in District 3 have spearheaded food and fundraising drives for those in need and collaborated with affiliate unions on solidarity-building events for young unionists. NextGen Steelworkers in District 5 participated in a two-day forum in 2022 that aided in developing a young workers’ education course. This course is now included in the district’s course calendar and was run twice in 2024. Steelworkers aged 35 and under in Quebec meet annually as part of their district’s yearly assembly and participate in the Quebec Federation of Labour’s youth education camp, where they develop solutions related to social inequalities, political inaction and young worker empowerment. District 6 maintains an engaged NextGen committee that supports local job actions, trains young Steelworkers, and collaborates with other activist groups. Many of the district’s NextGen local union committees lead community-building events and charitable activities to assist allied organizations.
Partnership opportunities with departments like the Steelworkers Humanity Fund continue to be explored, and applications are regularly submitted to the USW Family and Community Education Fund for NextGen-specific programming.
