By Oren Kadosh, LNS Staff

At the 2023 Labor Notes Conference (see previous piece), one of LNS’s main goals was to build support and strategic outreach for its upcoming Young Worker (YW) Convergence in Los Angeles, where young union members and climate activists will meet to strategize around how young workers can move forward a just transition with an urgency commensurate with the climate emergency. There was great enthusiasm for the project from young union members across a vast range of occupations, from tradespeople and longshore workers to teachers and transit workers. Staff will be following up on all the connections that were forged during the weekend and help ensure that these crucial young union voices are represented at the YW Convergence.

Additionally, the learning that staff members were able to do at the excellent panels and workshops presented by conference participants will help to inform the programming and substance of the YW Convergence. A panel called “Climate Demands in Legislation and Bargaining” was especially insightful and will help shape the learning and strategizing that will be worked through by YW Convergence attendees. Also of great interest and benefit were forums hosted on topics such as building community coalitions with labor unions, organizing strategically under particular employers and within particular sectors of the economy, and engaging in meaningful and effective communications with your organization’s members.

The relationships and learning made possible by this inspiring weekend will be of immense value in making the YW Convergence an effective vehicle for young workers to push the envelope moving us toward a just, green future.