Youth Unions - Building a New Culture

Organizing is the one timeless tool that creates change. It isn’t new, it’s what humans have done for generations when a problem has occurred, and a few people cared about it. I have spent my career working to foster change. It has always been complicated, but worth the emotional and physical investment. Though recently I have felt more despair as our country retreat to polarized corners, and offer no room for intelligent debate, just words one would toss around in a street fight. So, it has left me feeling concerned for the next generation. How will they learn to debate? How will they learn to negotiate?

My worries have temporarily been eased, when I learned about the youth union organizing at Aviation High School, in Long Island City, New York. Madeline Will of Edweek, wrote an enjoyable piece that illustrates the power of collective action. Students are learning how to negotiate, understanding self interest, and making demands that could rebuild or democracy and civic engagement. Here is an excerpt:

“Most shop classes in the school have student foremen, but only a couple other teachers ask students to choose a union representative. Some teachers feel uncomfortable with the concept, Pepenella said. But to him, it makes sense.

"If you have a contract, you need to have someone to enforce it," he said.

For example, the student contract clearly states that there will be two quizzes and a final exam during the 21-day course. But one year, Vaz decided to give another quiz as a disciplinary tool for bad behavior. The union representative told him that a third quiz was in violation of their contract. Vaz conceded that it was.”

Many adults with years of work experience, can not make connections to why an employment contract through unions can provide coverage like the one illustrated with the youth; and how unions helped shape the fabric of our employment laws. Take a moment to read and discuss with your organizing team.