Learning to Understand and Implement Just Economic Reforms for NJ’s Working Families
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Whether we are talking about the labor movement or our society in general, young workers are the future. This point is well understood by the New Jersey State AFL-CIO and its affiliates, which proudly sponsored over 50 young union members to participate in an innovative power-building workshop called Commonsense Economics on Tuesday, September 29, 2015.
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The training, which was organized by the New Jersey State AFL-CIO and its Young Workers Advisory Committee, was held at IBEW 456 and brought together young workers from all sectors of the labor movement to provide lasting lessons that cultivate economic awareness, leadership skills, and solidarity.
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We are enormously thankful to all the unions, Central Labor Councils, and Building Trades Councils which made this training possible through sponsoring young workers and providing donations. We thank Brother Joseph Egan, the Business Manager of IBEW 456, for graciously hosting the event at his union hall. We also extend the highest praise to all participants as well as our dedicated and knowledgeable team of trainers, Jennifer Higgins (AFT 1904), Carli Meneses (IAM 2339N), and Lauren Young Boukema (CWA 1036).
One of the core takeaways of the CSE program is that no policy is set in stone, and money will never drown out labor’s collective voice. Workers have the power to retool our state and national economic systems and make them work for the middle class again.
In order to exercise our collective voice, young workers committed to supporting the Labor 2015 political program by signing up for Saturday labor walks, Election Day GOTV, and general volunteer activities. Participants also practiced recruitment strategies to involve their friends, family, and co-workers in election activities.
Furthermore, this year it will be easier than ever before to volunteer as the State Federation debuts a new app-based technology that allows neighborhood canvassing to be conducted from smart phones rather than traditional paper walk packets.
The New Jersey State AFL-CIO Young Workers program is a year-round endeavor of the state labor movement that seeks to educate, empower, and engage young workers in the fight for progressive reforms that strengthen the labor movement, working families, and our communities as a whole. With your continued support, we will ensure a lasting and impactful voice for workers.