From their lips to our ears

“Greetings on this International Day of Youth

On this day that speaks to the importance of the youth in the world, we should not take it lightly, and we must realise how important we are in this race of life. 

The importance of the role of  youth has not been missed, and on more than one occasion our voices have been key factors in getting issues dealt with. At present a number of trade unions are trying to put things in place to encourage growth in youth membership to stem declines in membership. Let us be frank. The trade union movement is not like it was a few decades ago  when it was more energised. Youth today have a lot more things to distract them and some see the trade union movement as archaic and not at all attractive to deal with their needs. 

Seeing this development, I along with two Sisters are working diligently on a set of recommendations for Trade Union Renewal in the Caribbean. -  task that some would not have easily or readily left in the hands of three young trade union members. We however see this as a visionary step by those who realise and recognise that the input of the youth factor is key in any reforms that the trade union movement currently needs. We have done a lot of work. But more still needs to be done and upon completion we expect it to be available to every trade union across the Caribbean and even further afield.

I however ask that you too look inside yourselves and your organisations and think about and examine strategies that can aid in the reform of trade unions so that we can  be better equipped to deal with the changing times.”

Shamir Brown

Delegate - Jamaica Association of Local Government Officers (JALGO)

“Youth are dynamic, and our  enthusiasm is contagious.  We are longing to be involved in the trade union movement, in our  way, using our methods of communication, speaking our language, at our pace....

And union leaders, must recognise that in order to hope for and envision a future trade union movement, they must embrace the involvement of young people now. And not just embrace it,  but utilise it, nurture it, so that young people can grow and impact on other young people.”

Janel Joseph

Central Executive committee member - St Lucia National Workers’ Union (SLNWU)