WITH TUC Young Workers conference on the horizon, it is vital that we readdress the relationship between the trade union movement and young workers. Trade unions must acknowledge the importance of tapping into the talent and potential of young workers, not just for the future of the movement, but for palpable progress right now.

Whether we want to address it or not, trade unions are sleepwalking towards a potential existential crisis. The average age of an activist in Unison, Britain’s largest union, sits at 58.

Moreover, only 571 Young Members are ERA (Employment Relations Act) accredited reps across our union, out of a potential 139,000.

In stark contrast, there are 3,418 accredited reps within the 50-59 category. These troubling statistics are largely reflected across the overall movement. Simply put, if we maintain this current course, we willingly steer towards disaster. When our current crop of stewards and branch officers begin to retire in a decade or so, we will be left with a serious dearth of experienced and capable trade union leaders ready to carry the torch.

At times, there appears to be an unhealthy fixation in society on “young people’s” issues, as if they represent some kind of unique concern. To settle any element of doubt here, young trade unionists issues are workers’ issues. We share the same concerns and issues as the rest of our class in our working lives. While it must be recognised that young workers are often in more precarious financial situations and some issues, such as housing, are greatly exacerbated, we must also recognise the universality of class struggle and why young workers join unions.

Young workers are angry and disillusioned with the state of the economy, the state of the government and the state of society, and they have every right to be.

Successive governments have failed workers time after time — the colour of the prime minister’s tie is irrelevant when welfare is consistently sacrificed in favour of warfare and corporations and capital prioritised over workers’ interests.

However, hope is not lost. With the right encouragement young workers are ready to join our ranks.

Young members represent the fastest growing demographic in Unison, with 1 in 4 new joiners aged under 30. In recent times young workers have often proven amongst the most prepared to take stands on workers’ issues of internationalism and domestic class conflict. We need to harness and organise that energy into the structures of our unions before it’s too late.

If we do not effectively organise young workers now, then we risk surrendering perhaps the most valuable ground unions can fight on to the far right, without even entering the battlefield.

If we do not engage young workers and offer a progressive alternative now, then we can be sure that Reform UK will relish the opportunity to make false promises to young workers.

Young workers are unique in Unison, and indeed the wider trade union movement, in that we represent the only self-organised group where members must eventually bow out when reaching the ripe old age of 31. Fundamentally, unlike other areas of the movement, this forces us to constantly identify, encourage and platform new leaders and activists to ensure survival.

If we do not adapt, then our organising potential will die. I would argue that this model is something our movement could learn from as a whole, to ensure that the leadership of our movement does not ossify or stagnate and new ideas and energy are embraced.

In Unison North West we recognise these challenges and have made steps towards realising the potential and class consciousness of young workers through various member-led ventures, such as our Young Activists Network alongside regular political and organising schools.

We now boast an engaged and diverse young members’ forum, including representation from every service group, to steer the union’s largest young members region of some 19,926 young workers. Furthermore, as highlighted at the 2026 Unison Young Members Conference, there does seem to be a general consensus amongst young workers for a progressive agenda of anti-war, international solidarity and domestic transformation.

However, while positive steps have been taken, we cannot rest on our laurels, or waste time excessively congratulating ourselves. There is plenty more that must be done.

It’s often asserted that young workers represent the future of the trade union movement.

While this notion is often referenced with the best intentions and certainly carries some truth, I disagree with its limited scope. Yes, young members represent the future of our movement and class, alongside hope for societal and economic change.

Yet, young members also represent an immediate untapped opportunity for progress right now.

Young members have the energy, the passion and ability to take leadership roles within our branches, within our regions and at the highest national bodies of our union today. To ignore this vast potential would be an inexcusable and self-destructive mistake.

For the sake of our movement and the class it represents, we must harness the potential of young workers now, or we will come to regret it, much sooner than we realise.

Ian Caulfield is Unison North West Young Members Forum co-chair.