November is TUC Young Workers month, when we celebrate the contribution of young workers to the Labour movement. UNISON’s National Young Members Forum have organised a variety of activities for TUC Young Workers Month 2025, focusing on the issues we know are important to young members

Survey of young members

During Young Workers month we will be doing a comprehensive survey of all UNISON’s young members to ask them about their engagement with UNISON, public transport, and their experiences of the cost of living crisis. The survey will launch on the 30October 2025 and will run until the end of November.

Take the survey here: https://survey.alchemer.eu/s3/90934469/Young-Members-Survey-2025

Young Black members network meeting | Tuesday 11 November 2025 5-6pm

The network meeting is a place for young Black members to get together, talk about the issues that are important to them, and share experiences of campaigning and organising in their branches. Now that the date for Black members’ conference has been announced we’ll also be discussing motions for that conference. Chaired by a member of the National Young Members Forum.

Register here: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/83d277e4-9df3-4ce1-bf68-a4f5f80f7581@d7c21edf-d541-49a4-9f5a-7737832d42c7

What does a Young Members Officer do? | Thursday 13 November 1-2pm

Have you thought about standing as a Young Members Officer in your branch but you’re not sure what the role involves? Or maybe you’re already a young members officer and want to do more for young members in your branch. Join us to hear from UNISON young members about the realities of being a young members officer.

Presentation by Josephine Grahl, UNISON Young Members Officer, on the role of the Branch Young Members Officer, followed by a panel discussion by UNISON Young Members Officers about the realities of the job. Chaired by a member of the National Young Members Forum.

Register here: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/978c00e0-f7b7-4e3a-8036-b235966ac01d@d7c21edf-d541-49a4-9f5a-7737832d42c7

Menstrual and reproductive health: a trade union issue | Wednesday 19 November 12.30-1.30pm

There’s growing interest in how periods and menstrual conditions can affect working lives and what trade unions can do to support people who menstruate in the workplace. Join us for a webinar where we discuss these issues from a trade union perspective.

Bukky Akinwale, UNISON National Women’s Officer, will join us to talk about the recent UNISON survey about women’s health. Kate Oboussier, Women’s Officer for UNISON Westminster, will share her experiences of running a campaign to get her employer to provide free period products in the workplace. Zaihera Chaudry, from the UNISON Knowsley branch, will talk about her campaign ‘It’s bloody difficult.’ Chaired by a member of the National Young Members Forum.

Register here: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/28bef42f-06e1-4ce0-b847-460f8bbfb1ad@d7c21edf-d541-49a4-9f5a-7737832d42c7

What to expect at your first UNISON conference | Tuesday 25 November 12 noon-1pm

Are you attending a UNISON conference for the first time? In this session we’ll explain how conferences work, what to expect, and how you can prepare if you’re going to Young Members Conference at the end of November.

Presentation by Josephine Grahl, National Officer for Young Members, on how conferences and debate works. Caitlin O’Hagan, chair of the Young Members Conference Standing Orders Committee (SOC), will explain how the agenda for conference is determined. Micaela Tracey-Ramos, young members’ representative on the UNISON NEC, will share her top tips for public speaking and writing a speech. Chaired by a member of the National Young Members Forum.

Register here: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/fb0f21c8-87c6-4d9b-b8b0-7f7bf86879bc@d7c21edf-d541-49a4-9f5a-7737832d42c7

Nominations for the Eric Roberts award

The Eric Roberts award is given annually to a UNISON young member who has demonstrated effective and innovative campaigning. Nominations for the award can be made by branches and Regional Young Member Forums. Contact y.members@unison.co.uk for a nomination form.