Understanding young worker representation in trade unions

This chapter examines the main ways in which unions in the UK have attempted to represent young worker issues. The extent to which unions are able to make a representative claim on behalf of young workers is hindered by the lack of union membership amongst young workers. The chapter demonstrates that the low levels of union membership are largely a result of the structure of the labour market, and that young workers are more likely to be employed in non-unionised sectors. Despite this, unions have placed a renewed emphasis on recruiting and representing young workers over the last thirty years, with mixed results Young worker representation in unions can take a variety of forms. Whilst very few unions have a dedicated formal role of youth officer, unions mainly attempt to represent young worker interests through the creation of dedicated youth groups and networks. Such groups provide opportunities for training and development in relation to union activism, although a balance needs to be struck between allowing these groups to develop autonomously and a central union retaining some level of organisational control. Ultimately, the chapter argues that the youth representation structures that exist are generally strong at giving young workers experience of membership, leadership and activism, but many of the constraints on organising young workers and the effectiveness of unions’ ability to represent young workers interests’ lie in factors beyond the direct control of unions.