Trade Unions, Unionism and Young People

Abstract

This chapter deals with the relationship between young people and trade unions within the contemporary precarious workplace for young workers who have lower rates of unionism than older workers. The chapter examines the apparent paradox of lower union membership rates among young people. It first provides the background to falling rates of union membership with reference to the available data. It then proffers explanations for the decline of young workers joining a trade union in recent years, in relation to unfavourable structural factors, often ineffective trade unions and the lived experiences of young people. Last, the chapter provides some potential changes trade unions could make, in order to be in a better position to protect young workers and encourage them to participate in intergenerational unionism.