IAM members from various industries recently attended the IAM Young Workers Program at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center. The event, organized by IAM Women’s and Young Workers Director Dee Colbert, aimed to help young union members develop 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 covering topics such as IAM history, strategic planning, parliamentary procedure, generational diversity, public speaking, organizing on issues relevant to workers, economics, human rights, and committee-building. Experienced IAM educators led these sessions.
Participants were divided into groups and tasked with creating a strategic plan for starting Young Worker Committees in their home unions. One group presented its project as a podcast to demonstrate new ways of reaching younger audiences.
The IAM Communications Department provided guidance on effective messaging strategies to help participants communicate more effectively with union members when building committees.
Senior leaders from the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers visited the center during the program. Among them were General Secretary-Treasurer Dora Cervantes, Special Assistant Bryan Pinette, and Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen. They spoke about their own experiences in the union and encouraged young members to remain active.
