IAM members from various industries gathered at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center for the IAM Young Workers Program, an initiative organized by IAM Women’s and Young Workers Director Dee Colbert. The program focused on training young union members to develop Young Worker Committees within their local unions.
The weeklong event included practical training sessions on topics such as IAM history, strategic planning, parliamentary procedure, generational diversity, public speaking, organizing around key issues, economics, human rights, and effective committee formation. Experienced educators and staff from the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) led these sessions.
“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.”
Participants were divided into groups tasked with creating strategic plans for launching Young Worker Committees in their home unions. Some groups used innovative approaches such as podcasts to present their projects.
The IAM Communications Department provided a session on messaging strategies to help participants effectively communicate with union members when building committees locally.
Senior leaders from IAM also addressed attendees during the program. General Secretary-Treasurer Dora Cervantes, Special Assistant Bryan Pinette, and Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen shared personal insights about their experiences in the labor movement and highlighted the importance of active participation by younger members.
