USW Next Gen preparing a younger generation of union leaders

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America's Work Force Union Podcast Steelworkers AWF

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Tiffany McKee

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Tiffany McKee, staff representative for District 1 of the United Steelworkers (USW), shared insights into the USW's Next Generation program on this Thanksgiving edition of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast. As members of the Baby Boomer generation continue to retire, this initiative focuses on preparing younger USW members for union leadership roles through education and empowerment.

The USW Next Generation program was developed to address the need for a new group of leaders ready to step into key roles within the union. McKee emphasized the importance of this initiative, especially after last year’s passing of USW International President Tom Conway, a strong advocate for youth engagement. The program, which has been around for roughly a decade, offers younger USW members opportunities to participate in workshops and training sessions that cover a wide range of topics from basic union education to advanced skills such as arbitration.

McKee discussed the enthusiasm and commitment of young steelworkers who have embraced the program. She shared inspiring stories of members who, after attending training sessions, took on leadership roles within their Locals and initiated impactful community service projects. One example is a group of young leaders in Bowling Green, Ohio, who organized a fundraiser for breast cancer awareness, raising significant funds through community engagement.

As an example of what USW members are doing in their community, McKee spoke about a district-wide initiative supporting the Forever Our Children Foundation, which was created by USW member Robert Ford. This project includes a mobile shower unit for the homeless, providing them with dignity and support as they seek employment. Such initiatives demonstrate the union's commitment to making a positive impact beyond the workplace, fostering a sense of community and solidarity among its members.

Listen to the full episode to hear more from Tiffany McKee about the USWs' efforts to empower the next generation of union leaders.

America’s Work Force is the only daily labor podcast in the US and has been on the air since 1993, supplying listeners with useful, relevant input into their daily lives through fact-finding features, in-depth interviews, informative news segments and practical consumer reports. America’s Work Force is committed to providing an accessible venue in which America's workers and their families can hear discussion on important, relevant topics such as employment, healthcare, legislative action, labor-management relations, corporate practices, finances, local and national politics, consumer reports and labor issues.

America’s Work Force Union Podcast is brought to you in part by our sponsors: AFL-CIO, American Federation of Government Employees, American Federation of Musicians Local 4, Alliance for American Manufacturing, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes-IBT, Boyd Watterson, Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, Communication Workers of America, Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust, International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local 50, International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Crafts, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 6, Ironworkers Great Lakes District Council, Melwood, The Labor Citizen newspaper, Laborers International Union of North America, The National Labor Office of Blue Cross and Blue Shield, North Coast Area Labor Federation, Ohio Federation of Teachers, United Labor Agency, United Steelworkers.

USW Next Gen preparing a younger generation of union leaders

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