Under the leadership of Passaic County Central Labor Council President Juan Negron, the Passaic County YES (Youth Engagement in Solidarity) sponsored a Common Sense Economics workshop that brought out more than 70 progressive young union members last night.
A lively discussion on the economic issues concerning young workers, such as paying down student debt and the ability to earn a livable wage, was led by facilitators Amanda Pacheco, IBEW International Director of Education, OPEIU 153’s Alicia Bruce, the Passaic County YES chair, and Lauren Young-Boukema, staff representative, CWA 1036. The Passaic County young workers chapter also announced the launch of “YES +1,” a new effort to recruit and engage young workers in all facets of the labor movement.
We are grateful to our affiliates for co-sponsoring the event, and for enthusiastically supporting our growing Young Workers program. A special thank you goes to IBEW 1158 Business Manager Joseph Calabro, who graciously lent the young workers his union hall.
Following the national AFL-CIO’s very successful Young Workers Summit in Chicago last month, New Jersey’s Young Workers are building momentum by expanding their action network. Last night’s event attracted young union members representing all sectors of the labor movement, who spent the evening exploring issues of economic justice. The turnout was outstanding. To view more photos from the event, CLICK HERE.
We look forward to giving even more young workers the tools they need to understand their economic circumstances and learn to bring about progressive change when the Mercer County Central Labor Council hosts a similar customized Common Sense Economics workshop for its young workers on April 10, 2015.
Thanks to our progressive and forward-thinking officers, we are empowering the next generation of union leaders. We are proud of the New Jersey State AFL-CIO’s Young Workers Advisory Committee for creating a Young Workers program that has quickly become a model for others to follow!