Young workers raise a fist

Young Unite members from the UK construction sector joined with thousands of colleagues from across the world as part of a campaign day from the BWI to tie in with International Youth Day 2024.

On Monday (12 Aug) the Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI) called on its affiliates, partners, and young workers to take action to spread the demand of the BWI Youth to raise a fist for the planet to build a liveable world.

Unite is an active member of the BWI and supports its Global Youth Manifesto. This calls for concrete actions and policies from governments, policy makers and employers in line with adopting new standards to achieve a zero-carbon future; and from unions to educate workers on climate justice and join the BWI campaign “Heat-Up Workers’ Rights, Not the Planet.” 

The BWI Global Young Workers’ Manifesto highlights the concerns of young workers about the impact that climate change is having on the world and recognises that unions have a “leading role in developing and implementing policies aimed at creating a zero-carbon world”. It also highlights the importance of a just transition with “measures designed to protect workers’ rights and interests” whilst the world moves towards a low carbon economy.

The Manifesto additionally calls on governments and employers to “Listen to the demands of trade unions to ensure the health and safety of workers in the conditions of extreme heat and extreme weather conditions.”

Stuart Grice, Unite Executive Council member for construction said: “Young workers from across the world are raising a fist in solidarity with the BWI campaign, and it’s great to see our young members getting involved. “

“Involved in the International Youth Day of action and being involved in the putting together of the BWI youth manifesto.”

The full BWI Global Young Workers’ Manifesto can be seen here.

Unite Electrician Rebecca Black

Unite Electrician Jodie Mitchell 

By Keith Hatch