IAM Young Workers Program Builds the Next Generation of Union Leaders

IAM members interested in developing Young Worker Committees in their local unions met at the William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology (W3) Center for the IAM Young Workers Program, organized by IAM Women's and Young Workers Director Dee Colbert.

The weeklong program brought together young IAM members from across the country and many industries for hands-on training, leadership development, and exposure to the full breadth of the union's work.

"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."

Throughout the week, participants took part in a robust curriculum that included IAM history, strategic planning, parliamentary procedure, generational diversity, public speaking, organizing on the issues, common sense economics, human rights, and establishing effective committees. Sessions were led by experienced IAM educators and staff, ensuring participants received both practical skills and a strong grounding in union principles.

The Young Workers delegation was divided into groups and tasked with developing a strategic plan to establish a Young Workers Committee in their own local unions. The project encouraged the young members to plan how they will use the resources and tools they learned about throughout the week in order to build successful committees. One group took their presentation a step further by sharing their project in the form of a podcast, highlighting innovative ways young members can use trending media to reach their target audience.

The IAM Communications Department delivered a session dedicated to effective messaging. The section provided participants with skills to effectively engage the membership and use communication tools to support their committee-building efforts back home.

Some top IAM leaders stopped by the W3 Center to speak with and encourage the Young Workers. IAM General Secretary-Treasurer Dora Cervantes, Special Assistant to the General Secretary-Treasurer Bryan Pinette, and Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen each addressed the group, sharing insights from their own union journeys and emphasizing the importance of young members stepping up and staying engaged.

The program concluded with group presentations and a closing session that reinforced the critical role Young Workers play in shaping the future of the IAM.