Young workers build their skills in the Prairies

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Gimli, Man. – July 25, 2017 – The latest stop of the 2017 UFCW Canada Young-Workers Internship Program (YIP) was in Gimli, Manitoba, where young UFCW Canada members participated in a week of dynamic learning and training.

Members from UFCW Canada Local 832, Local 1400, and Local 649 gathered for a jam-packed session of skills development in order become better activists in their workplaces and communities.  

Throughout the week, the group took part in exercises exploring labour history and the work of their union. They also participated in several activities aimed at developing their communication and collective bargaining skills.

The group was also visited by UFCW Canada Local 832 President Jeff Traeger, who spoke about the importance of programs such as YIP and the need for young workers to be engaged in their union and their communities. Local 832 also invited the group to their Winnipeg office to attend a Manitoba New Democratic Party leadership debate.

"The knowledge that I obtained this week is enormous, although the true value of YIP comes from something much larger," says UFCW Local 1400 member Erin Elsner. "I often find myself feeling hopeless about our troubled social climate and my voice feels way too small to make a difference. Learning that my union is fighting for the rights of workers, like myself, helps me realize that my voice isn't as small as I thought. As union members, our collective voice is strong, and we have the power to make a difference,” he adds. 

The 2017 UFCW Canada Young-Workers Internship Program is continuing its journey west with a final stop in British Columbia. To learn more about YIP, click here. You can also follow the program on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.