Twenty-six young workers gathered at the Barbados Workers’ Union labour college last week for the first ever seminar specifically for young workers in the Caribbean. The event focused on developing strategic campaigns, as well as on organising skills, educational methods and building a regional network.
Using a new ITF developing strategic campaigns manual*, participants developed detailed campaign plans for national campaigns on issues affecting young workers: job security and short-term contracts; outsourcing; fatigue and overtime; paid holidays; allowances; and low wages. These campaigns are real live issues for the young workers present and they pledged to support each other to continue the work through an active regional network. For each project, they presented their goals, ‘arbolitos’ (worker networks) plans, union strengths and weaknesses, key employer relationships and tactics.
Participants were filmed identifying some of the core issues for young workers in the Caribbean.
Young workers outlined what they had learned in the seminar and how they planned to put the lessons into action when they returned home.
Using communications skills they learnt at the seminar, participants produced a short filmed report on how they would implement their campaigns
Speaking at the end of the event, Serena Browne, ITF Caribbean regional and global youth committee member, commented: “Through the seminar held here at BWU’s labour college, young workers in the Caribbean have developed strong networks and will be working together on campaigns and building the strength of our unions in the region with the active involvement and participation of young workers.”
*This manual is available on request fromeducation@itf.org.uk
