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This year’s Unifor Young Workers Conference on Nov. 8 to 10, 2024, focused on the theme of “deep roots, strong growth,” building upon the challenges, responsibilities and hope of young workers leading the union into the future. With the message that with the support of the union, the next generation of workers can strengthen into an unstoppable force.
“You’re not only the future of the workforce, you’re also changing the present in remarkable ways,” said Unifor Equity and Racial Justice Director Tricia Wilson.
“This conference has been designed to help you on this journey.”
More than 100 delegates from across Canada gathered at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Toronto to learn more about Unifor, its leadership, departments and resources and equity groups, share stories about challenges young workers face, and how to mobilize to make the future a better place.
In her address at the Young Workers Conference, Unifor National President Lana Payne shared that her daughter is a 23-year-old electrical engineering grad, who has been looking for work for months.
“The labour market is tough out there now for young people,” she said. “That is what happens when there has been a deliberate policy by the Bank of Canada to slow the economy down.”
Young workers face stigmas and stereotypes and challenges, she said, including a world with many crises right now – climate change, the rise of the far right across the world, AI in workplaces, war, and some of the worst affordability issues in a generation, whether it is housing or education. But young workers also have lots to teach the union.
“There’s a willingness to be open about things like mental health and harassment, to bring your issues to the forefront. There is your incredible energy and new ideas that will propel us to a new place in this union,” said Payne.
“Nothing can stand still. We must always evolve and make sure we are relevant to all workers.”
Payne also said the right to strike is under attack by employers and potential Conservative governments and that Unifor will not back down in protecting workers’ right to free collective bargaining and the right to strike.
“Workers are very much in a fighting mood,” she said. "We’ve fought too hard to get to where we are. We’re not going back."
Payne encouraged young workers to reach out to each other, get on workplace committees to ensure your voices are heard and there are workplace improvements for younger and newer members. She also encouraged them to get out to vote.
“Politics matter. And certainly, you need no more reminder of that than the U.S. election. It matters to the kind of world we can have,” she said.
“It matters to the kind of economy we can have. It matters to women for things like reproductive choice. It matters to the safety in your workplace. It matters pretty much to everything that touches our lives.”
Payne said Unifor creates spaces for young workers through the structures of the union and efforts to make sure collective agreements are improving work for young workers, but there’s more to be done and the union wants to hear their ideas.
"We move workers forward and we don't just say young workers are the leaders of tomorrow, we make sure they have the space in our union to be the leaders of today," Payne said.
The conference opened Friday evening with an Indigenous welcome by Elder Gilbert Sunday and hoop dancer Myranda Spence, followed by remarks by Unifor Ontario Regional Director Samia Hashi, who became involved with the union as a young worker.
"This is really your space, your conference," said Hashi.
"I remember the first time that I came to this conference in 2016. I was brand new to Unifor, which was both exciting and a little terrifying."
Hashi said coming to a Young Workers conference opened a lot of doors for her, where ideas turned into "actionable change," and she's inspired by the next generation, "because you're bringing new perspectives and challenging what we've always done."
Laura Sullivan and Ryan Rodrigues, the National Liaisons to Young Workers Committees, said this is the first national Young Workers Conference since 2016.
“This conference was important not just for the union, but also young workers to be able to engage with peers from across Canada,” said Rodrigues.
“The conference aimed to engage, encourage, educate, and support the next generation of Unifor leaders – and it delivered. For the first time in my career, I was in a room full of people my age, who understand and experience young worker struggles, and that want to do something to make change.”
Madison Illman, a peer helper from the Unifor Local 127 Action Centre in Chatham, Ont., explained that the centres help workers who are laid off get the support they need to move towards employment again. This includes workshops, resume prep and interview training.
“The action centres are great,” she said. “We work closely with any employment service providers and community supports. We support all our members, whether they’re transitioning to employment, retraining, retiring, or even self-employment.”
Wilson called up Young Workers regional committee members to the front of the room and encouraged delegates to reach out, ask questions, and network with one another and discuss ideas.
"What do you need from your union, how can we assist you to make the world better for you?" she said.
On the second day of the conference, delegates broke off into separate “Getting to know your union” workshops hosted by Unifor discussion leaders.
Among the goals from delegates included knowing the benefits of a union and how to keep momentum and engagement going with their peers and how grievances and the collective bargaining processes work. Some delegates wanted to know how to create more solidarity with other colleagues at work with big age gaps.
Johanna LeRoux, a speaker from Threads of Life, a not-for-profit advocacy group for workplace tragedy support, shared the moving and tragic story of her son Michael Fisher, who died falling from the roof of the house he was shingling.
Fisher wasn't wearing safety equipment at the time of the fall, and he died of a brain injury on Jan. 25, 2006, at the age of 22. He would have turned 41 on Nov. 11 this year.
"What we were told was an isolated moment of forgetfulness or carelessness on his part, cost him his life and changed our family forever,” she said.
“I was determined to be more than a survivor and not going to remain a victim and for the loss to define me. I made a commitment that Michael’s death and the devastation it caused to our family would serve some purpose. I would make him proud and use his legacy to prevent our family’s tragedy from happening to other people.”
In 2022, there were 993 workplace fatalities, with young workers more at risk, said LeRoux.
LeRoux now utilizes her grief to get out the message: It only take a minute to be safe and that employers share the responsibility in creating safety.
"It's no longer just the cost of doing business," she said.
Delegates heard presentations on pension security, health and safety, and building the union through social media from the communications department. On the final day of the conference, Unifor lawyer Toby Whitfield spoke about harassment in the workplace.
In her closing remarks, Wilson said she “Hearing from you is so inspiring. When you’re saying to me, your voices aren’t heard. I believe you. That’s why it was so important to do this conference.”
Wilson left the group with a message of solidarity and hope.
“Seeing each of you here represents so many backgrounds, experiences and unique perspectives gives me tremendous hope of the future we’re building together,” she said.
See photos of the Young Workers Conference
