IAM members from various industries gathered at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center to participate in the IAM Young Workers Program, an initiative aimed at building Young Worker Committees within local unions. The program was organized by Dee Colbert, Director of IAM Women’s and Young Workers.
“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 event included hands-on training sessions covering topics such as IAM history, strategic planning, parliamentary procedure, generational diversity, public speaking, organizing on workplace issues, economics relevant to workers, human rights, and committee development. Sessions were led by experienced educators from the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), who focused on both practical skills and foundational union principles.
Participants worked in groups to develop strategic plans for forming Young Worker Committees in their own local unions. One group presented their project through a podcast format to demonstrate new approaches for reaching younger audiences.
A session led by the IAM Communications Department provided guidance on effective messaging strategies. This equipped attendees with tools to better communicate with members when building committees after returning home.
Senior IAM officials visited during the program. General Secretary-Treasurer Dora Cervantes, Special Assistant Bryan Pinette, and Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen spoke about their personal experiences within the union movement and stressed the need for continued engagement from younger members.
