This briefing looks at the challenge that unions face in engaging younger workers to participate actively in the labour movement. If this challenge is not addressed, then union leaders face the difficult prospect of having to defend the value of unions to workers while also demonstrating strength and solidarity to employers.
The Millennial Movement: Younger Workers and Union Renewal
The Millennial Movement: Younger Workers and Union Renewal
Canadian Economic Analysis
People and Culture
$205.00
Falling unionization rates—especially in the private sector—are a problem for the long-term survival of the labour movement. The future viability and relevance of the Canadian labour movement depends, at least in part, on the engagement of the millennial workforce. Indeed, employers, unions, and workers all have a stake in the future of Canadian labour relations.
The challenge for unions—as it is for employers—is to better understand the needs and interests that are of specific concern to younger workers, and that may differ from other segments of the workforce.
This briefing offers a number of suggestions for engaging millennials: placing more focus on “career-building” bargaining outcomes, such as training and skills development; recognizing that millennials have a strong preference for easily quantifiable and tangible rewards, such as base pay and benefits; and understanding that millennials prefer a more ‘open’ style of communication with managers.
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