The fundamental reason people join trade unions is to get the opportunity to fight against the greed of Capitalism. Left to entrepreneurs and members of the elite, everything will be turned into a tool for their personal enrichment to the detriment of the greater good in society – like welfare, workers and other stakeholders. In line with this, trade unions play a significant role in limiting Capitalist greed. In spite of this, trade unionism is declining and fewer young people are willing to join these unions in all major countries around the globe. The purpose of this letter is to present a set of recommendations on how unions increase the involvement of young workers in their activities.
The fundamental issue in the engagement of young people is about the poor ability of unions to communicate with these younger people in society. It is a known fact that communicating with young people aged between 16 and 24 is almost always difficult. This is because they have their own preferences and expectations. And since unions often spend a chunk of their budgets in the media attacking and condemning conservatives and the rich, the nature of engagement with young people is destined to be limited and ineffective. Thus, in order to increase the involvement of young people, it is necessary for alternative measures to be put in place to ensure that these young people are engaged actively and their needs are aligned with that of unions.
Effective communication is central and key and it is premised on the ability to understand audiences. Therefore, it is imperative for unions to get a thorough and strong understanding of their audiences. Since there is no generic definition of an ideal or classical young person, there is the need to identify the segments in the group of young people. This can be done by classifying young people into groups based on various indicators and demographics. Notable amongst such standards include occupations, goals, education, income, common interests and ethnicities. However, there is a possibility of finding other standards and expectations that could be used as a means of classifying young people and understanding their needs.
Once classification is done, there is the need to create awareness amongst them about unions. Many young workers have no idea of unions and what they do. They only see unions as boring and critical adults who do nothing but condemn the rich and the wealthy with no direct impacts on them. As such, there is the need to create awareness and connections with younger people.
Therefore, identifying with young people provides the most fundamental basis for unions to increase their relationships with young people. Thus, their communication methods must be considered including their quests for mobility in jobs and desire for better technology.
One of the most fundamental elements that must be considered in trying to make unions popular with young people is to link their careers with the unions. There are many young people who are in casual jobs. They see these casual jobs as a means to an end – a source of income for their basic needs. Most young people look out for long-term career aspirations and goals. As such, they always see casual work as a means to an end. There is the need for the unions to draw a clear link between the interest of a young worker and passions. Thus, a young member must be engaged and made to understand the importance of becoming a union member. This is because the best way of getting people interested in the unions is to do so before they enter the workforce. Thus, young people in casual jobs must be made to understand what the unions will do for them and how they can join unions. This way, young people can be aware of the unions. Thus, campus outreach must be made an important part of the activities of unions. This will ensure that young people understand what unions can do for them and become fully aware of their functions and join them when they grow.
Also, young people who enter professions in the earlier days must be given special attention. This is because they are new entrants into careers and professions. Thus, there should be chapters of the unions to meet and engage with young professionals like accountants, marketers, lawyers, journalists, doctors and others in order to get them to be proactive and develop an interest in the unions and their activities. These are organizations that do not normally use unions to pursue their goals as opposed to teachers, nurses and others. Hence, they should be given special attention so they organize themselves and do things that promote their best interests and goals as they grow and become members of the working community.
One of the main problems with young people in unions is that they are often disrespected and treated in a condescending manner. This is because most unions focus on seniority and as such, they deem young people to be inexperienced and inappropriately prepared to do things. This problem stands in the way of engagement. To ensure that young people play an effective part in these unions, there is the need for young people to be given an opportunity to express themselves and participate in activities. Thus, there must be a sense of egalitarianism and young people’s needs must be respected and seen as a part of the entire process. Views of young people should not be singled out and considered stupid. It must be seen as a vital part of the union and must be treated with respect.
Also, effective communication with young people must be done through multiple channels. This includes the use of various techniques and processes in order to get the message out there and be able to effectively reach young people. Thus, there must be the consideration of a blend of traditional media and modern electronic media. There must be the use of various electronic outlets like Facebook and mobile communication which is somewhat basic and often overlooked. These are communication means that are more utilized by younger people. As such, they should be contacted through such systems and approaches.
Finally, creativity and intensity are important aspects of engaging with young people. Creativity is important because young people form social bonds which they keep throughout life. They are more prone to innovation and new things. And social groups young people belong to become the basis for defining what is right and wrong. Thus, it is necessary for unions to use creative methods of communicating with young people. This includes the use of new methods and approaches to communication that young people will understand and consider to be current and important to them. Through this, a union will be able to understand contemporary culture at all times and use that as a basis for communicating with young people and encourage them to join unions.
Intensity involves the use of a planned and structured system of communicating with young people over a sustained period of time. This can be done by defining campaigns that must be honored throughout a particular period. This should lead to a combination of communication methods that will help young people to understand and appreciate specific things. The process will help to create an impression that will last on the minds of young people and will become a better way of getting into the inner circles of these young people.
In conclusion, connection is an important part in communicating with young people and getting them interested in unions. This is to be done through a system of effective communication. This starts by segmenting the population of young workers. Once segmentation is done, there should be a means of connecting with young people before they enter the workforce. Focus should be placed on professions that do not normally join unions. There should be the use of technology and respect is key in communicating and connecting with young people.
Works Cited
Gregory, Paul and Robert Stuart. The Global Economy and its Economic Systems. Print. Mason, OH: Cengage, 2016.
