The AFL-CIO Next Up Young Worker Program is a place for young people and their unions, progressive allies, students and community groups to join together and work toward social and economic justice.

Young worker groups all over the country focus on everything from organizing to policy to politics to change the rules and fight for a better future for all working people.

Next Up Mission

Our mission is to empower the next generation of labor leaders to challenge, inspire, build and organize around issues that directly affect young working people like student loans and good-paying jobs.

The AFL-CIO’s Young Worker Advisory Council advises and helps implement the AFL-CIO’s Next Up Young Worker Program. Council members are voices for economic and social justice in their communities and their unions, and they are charged with engaging young working people in the labor movement.

They mentor, train and develop young worker group leaders and represent the AFL-CIO Next Up program across the country.

Why You Should Join a Young Worker Group Today

If you are a leader in your local union or want to learn more about being one, or if you have an organizer and activist spirit and want to be at the center of movements for change, Next Up Young Worker groups are a place to meet like-minded friends.

Check out the existing young worker groups in the states in the section below.

If you want to start your own Young Worker group, fill out the form below to start the process. Someone will be in touch with you to walk you through the process.