What role can youth play in the Union movement, and what
can Unions do to motivate youth into Union activism?
Youth and their Role in the Future of Unions
Youth are more aware or attuned to social injustice and with social media so intertwined into every
fabric of their lives youth are having a bigger say in forming public opinion on future policy and political
direction our country takes. The UNW can have a hugely positive role in shaping youth perspective on
fair and equitable employment laws that promote northern hire as well as training and upgrading skills
so that northerners can advance in the workplace.
The traditional role of the union is changing as it needs to. There is a stagnation going on right now that
has allowed business and governments to take the opportunity to put union’s in a stereotypical light and
take advantage of cheap foreign labor, outsource Canadian jobs to other country’s with less stringent
labor laws and cheaper wages. Engaging the youth from a grassroots process and empowering them
with knowledge of the principles of the union movement - a fundamental shift can happen for the
benefits of future Canadian workers.
Youth have energy that the union movement needs to rid itself of the barriers towards change; social
media is the conduit to make this happen. The youth awareness of social injustice through means of
social media allows greater attention to be focused on specific issues to bring change in policy. This
energy is not only for general strikes but can be in other forms of new militancy such as the “Idle No
More” movement which facilitated national media coverage but more importantly brought awareness
to every Canadian citizen and sparked marches in support in all major cities across the country. Think of
the value of having youth educated in the union movement in advancing socially acceptable policy.
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The role of unions
The union has to identify with what’s important from a youth’s perspective in order play an important
part in shaping their opinions and thinking of the future workplace in Canada. Having a common cause
or voice is what draws interest; using education and teaching the history of unions and their founding
principles will help shape future policy.
Education is key to youth activism; the youth have to form their own opinions doing so from a position
of knowledge gives strength and conviction to taken on certain issues. Union’s need to educate the
youth by taking the union message to the schools and social media and thereby begin to build the path
towards enlightenment of the union movement. A Historical perspective will give a context from which
to start, the union will shape opinions that are relevant to the world of the youth. I think it’s important
to mention at this point that the opinions of the youth may not necessarily be in line with the current
union establishment. We should not be discouraged or dishearten as any parent would know we can
only give our children the tools to survive we cannot live their lives for them – even though we would
prefer to “bubble wrap” them from every evil this is not practical.
With a strong background the youth can take a position of strength on the issues of the day; this
strength is derived from making the connection from a historical point of view and carrying it through in
a logical and informed process in today’s context. Business and government will likely have to bow to
the pressures employed by the youthful exuberance of our new social and labour activists.
In Conclusion
The union movement has reached a milestone in its history and an important crossroad is just ahead,
the demise or resurgence of our movement are the paths we can take. We need to embrace the future
of the union movement through the common ground interests we have with the youth. Using education
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to teach the history and fundamental guiding principles as a means to help formulate those decisions
the youth are going to make will secure the future of the union for more generations to come.
Career Bio
Trudy Nelner was raised in Tuktoyaktuk coastal
community in Inuvialuit Settlement Region,
Canada’s Beaufort Delta. Her large extended
family still resides in Tuktoyaktuk a traditional
whaling community. Mrs. Nelner has 15 years
public service as a Customer Representative
employed by NT Power Corporation in Fort
Simpson, NT. Trudy meets and greets people
on a daily basis; community people respect her
for her warm-hearted approach. During her
Trudy Nelner, studying at her kitchen in Fort Simpson, NT. 2015
career and being a full time parent, Trudy is
always active in the community and has served on various boards in Fort Simpson. She also
volunteers for a number of community project and events.
Trudy is currently accepted to the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts - Baking & Pastry Arts
program in Vancouver, BC.
“Because I have a passion for baking and pastries for a very long time, my
knowledge is what I’ve gained living in the north, traditional practices and
harvesting passed on to me from family.”
Trudy would like to take her traditional knowledge and combine it with western technical
knowledge to run her own retail operation selling baked goods and pastries.
“My husband and I are both entrepreneurs and want to build and own a business
with a definite north flare to our cuisine. We think there is room for our northern
products and service as the north begins to open up to development and more
people are attracted to the north.”
Trudy’s personal interests include travel, fishing and camping. She currently resides in Fort
Simpson, NT with her husband and their 2 children.
pg. 3