Young workers

Everyone should have the chance of a decent job and career, no matter what their age. Young people are most likely to experience unemployment, underemployment, low wages, casual and temporary work, zero-hours contracts and workplace exploitation.

As a union we want to engage and recruit all young workers. Young people deserve a great job as much as anyone else, where you are paid and treated fairly, where you get an opportunity to progress, have your voices heard and your rights upheld.

Young workers tell us it’s hard to speak up at work, whether that’s getting your hard work recognised or challenging unfair treatment. We want to make a difference to the working lives of young workers, and we want you to stand with us.

Community’s young workers taskforce

Research shows us that young people are least likely to be involved in a trade union. Trade union membership among young workers (aged 20–29) is 14.1 per cent, falling by almost half to 7.5 per cent in the private sector – where the vast majority of young workers in the UK work. Young people are the least likely to be in a union, despite having the most to gain.

We need to seriously consider the barriers that stop young people engaging with unions and the means to overcome them. Community have set up the young workers task force, looking at why people under 27 aren’t joining trade unions and what we can do as a union to recruit and involve more young members and reps.

Find out more information about why you should join Community here.

If you would like to get involved in future training and events, please get in touch at equalities@community-tu.org