IAM members from various regions and industries recently attended the IAM Young Workers Program at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center. The event, organized by Dee Colbert, Director of IAM Women’s and Young Workers, aimed to help participants develop Young Worker Committees in their local unions.
“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 weeklong program included hands-on training sessions on topics such as IAM history, strategic planning, parliamentary procedure, generational diversity, public speaking, organizing on workplace issues, economics, human rights, and how to set up effective committees. Experienced IAM educators led these sessions to provide practical skills alongside a foundation in union principles.
Participants were divided into groups to create strategic plans for establishing Young Workers Committees at their home locals. One group presented its plan through a podcast format as an example of using new media tools to reach younger audiences.
The IAM Communications Department also provided training on messaging strategies. This session focused on teaching participants how to communicate effectively with other members and use available communication tools for committee-building efforts.
Senior IAM officials including General Secretary-Treasurer Dora Cervantes, Special Assistant Bryan Pinette, and Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen visited the program. They spoke about their own experiences in the union and encouraged young members to take active roles in shaping the future of the organization.
