Fórsa’s youth network held a fringe event at the union’s national conference last week. It was the first in-person youth event since the onset of the pandemic.

The session was arranged to allow for an open discussion with delegates on increasing youth engagement at branch level, educating younger and future workers, and developing an organising strategy to recruit young workers.

The re-established group met with over 30 young members, and a robust and energetic conversation followed.

Cliadhna Dinneen and Kathryn Collins of the union’s Cork Health and Local Government branch explored the already established strong youth structure in place in their branch, and looked how this could be developed further across divisions.

Fórsa official Michael Kerrigan said that the future of the movement lies in the hands of young workers.

“For this union to continue to grow we must educate, empower and campaign for both younger workers and future workers. We are particularly thankful to members of Young Fórsa Cork who shared their experience of established youth structures at a branch level and how this has resulted in increased youth involvement with the branch executive committee,” he said.

The network will soon arrange a number consultation meetings with members nationwide, with a view to developing an organising strategy to recruit and empower younger members.

For more information, or to get involved, contact the network HERE.