The Young Members’ Development Weekend is an annual event that aims to inspire young trade unionists by giving them the tools they need to become more active within Trade Union Movement by providing inspiration, learning and networking opportunities, as well as a real chance to develop their skills, extend their knowledge and create links with other trade unions. It’s a weekend where members can meet others like them from different unions, share their experiences, realise they aren’t alone in facing the issues they do at work and understand that collectively they are stronger not only to make a difference in their jobs, but actually within the Trade Union Movement too.
Sarah Woolley, a former participant of the weekend, now current General Secretary of the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers’ Union, has described her experience.
It’s a few years since I attended my first GFTU Young Members’ Weekend, but I still remember how great it was to be spending a weekend with other young trade unionists learning about the movement, politics, economics, international issues and employment rights amongst many other areas, it was my first experience of a trade union event that didn’t just involve motions.
There are some people from that first time that I am still in contact with now, who like me have progressed in the movement into paid official roles and senior official roles in their respective trade unions.
The Young Members’ Development Weekend does exactly what it says on the tin and is the only event like it in our movement.
Please support us so that we can continue to help young people progress in the Trade Union movement by playing Union Lotto, a lottery where each week there’s an opportunity for you to win up to £25,000. 60% of ticket sales go to GFTU’s Educational Trust as well as other Good Causes who take part. Draws take place every Saturday @ 8pm and ticket prices start at just £1 per week.
