Annual Report 2012

Communications Workers’ Union Youth Committee

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2013

2pm, Wednesday 30th January CWU Head Office 575 North Circular Road, Dublin 1

AGENDA

1.

Chairperson’s Address

2.

Election of Tellers

3.

Standing Orders

4.

Annual Report

5.

Guest Speakers

6.

Election of Officers

7.

Motions to Conference

8.

Campaigns

9.

AOB

10. Next Meeting

TERMS OF REFERENCE – YOUTH COMMITTEE 1. Name of Committee: The Committee will be known as the Youth Committee of the Communications Workers’ Union.

2. Aims The aim of the Committee shall be to promote and protect the interests and conditions of all young members of the CWU.

The Committee shall consist of a Chairperson, Vice‐Chair and Committee members. The Committee shall normally meet once a month or more often, if required.

The term of the Officers (Chairperson and Vice‐Chair) will be for one year, elected annually at the AGM.

3. Elections a) The Committee shall elect officers by Ballot at the AGM. This will be done by way of an overall vote of all members present. Members who are scheduled for duty during the actual period of the AGM, on Annual Leave or out on long‐term sick absence or otherwise legitimately unable to attend may vote via text message to the Facilitator.

b) Nominations for Officers’ positions must be submitted no later than the date decided by the Committee prior to the AGM.

c) All nominations must have the signature of the Proposer and Seconder, and must have the written consent of the nominee.

d) In the event of there being insufficient nominations, nominations may be accepted from the floor of the AGM.

e) Any decision reached democratically by a vote of the Committee shall be binding on all Committee members.

4. Meetings: a) The AGM shall be held biennially in January or February.

b) Special General Meetings shall be held whenever it is considered necessary by the Committee or whenever the NEC so orders.

c) Any other requests for a Special General Meeting must be submitted to the Chairperson stating the purpose of the meeting. No other business will discussed be at such meetings.

d) Seven days’ notice shall normally be given for all General Meetings.

e) There is no Quorum for an Annual General Meeting.

f)

The Agenda for the AGM and General Meeting shall be prepared by the Chairperson and Vice‐Chair in consultation with the members and these members will be furnished with a copy prior to the AGM.

5. Duties:

Chairperson:  To preside over all Committee and General Meetings of the Committee.  To ensure that business is carried out in an orderly and efficient manner.  To conduct correspondence, keep records and generally administer the affairs of the Committee in accordance with its decisions.  To call and arrange General Meetings and AGM in conjunction with the Head Office Facilitator.  With Vice‐Chair, to agree and produce Agenda for meetings.

Vice‐Chair:  To liaise between Chair and Committee members/ Head Office.  To take and produce minutes of General Meetings and AGMs.  To facilitate on‐going Campaigns and activities as decided by Committee.  With Chair, to agree and produce Agenda for meetings.  To ensure that meetings are conducted in accordance with Standing Orders.

It is noted that the unique nature of the Youth Committee requires continued support and assistance from Head Office and both the Chair and Vice‐Chair will work in co‐ operation with the Facilitator to ensure the Committee works smoothly and efficiently.

6. Voting: Voting on all matters at Committee meetings shall be by a show of hands, except where a secret ballot is specified by these standing Orders or by the NEC or where the Chairperson deems a secret ballot is necessary.

7. General: a) These Terms of Reference, in conjunction with the rules of the CWU, shall be binding on all members of the Youth Committee of the Communications Workers’ Union.

b) Membership of the Youth Committee shall be open to members up to 35 years of age. Members elected to Chair or Vice‐Chair positions who reach this age limit during their term may hold their elected position until the next election.

c) The NEC shall be the final authority on the interpretation of these Terms of Reference.

YOUTH COMMITTEE ACTION PLAN

The aims of the Youth Committee are:



To influence Union policy from the grassroots upward to reflect the particular needs and viewpoints of young members of the CWU



To encourage the greater involvement of young members across all Branches and sectors of the Union



To support the effort to recruit young members into the Union and to encourage the building of activists within the Union through training and hands‐on experience



To drive campaigns that affect young people both within and without the trade union movement



To communicate effectively and provide regular updates to younger members of developments within the Union



To engage with youth groups in other trade unions and political movements to educate activists in broader political issues



To work towards a seat on the NEC for a member of the Youth Committee



To continue and increase their involvement in global youth committees



To contribute to a ‘youth section’ of the Union’s website



To produce a recurring article(s) in the Union’s journal to report on the achievements of the Youth Committee

Tools: 

Youth section on website



Youth page on Facebook



Recurring article space in Connect journal



Youth Committee banner for protests etc



Posters for workplaces



Regular newsletter



Online campaigns, e.g. YouTube/ Facebook

MISSION STATEMENT

The CWU Youth Committee was established to encourage and assist new and specifically younger members who join the Union to learn about the Union and the benefits of participation for themselves and their colleagues.

To assist young members in obtaining the confidence and skillsets necessary to participate at any level they wish in the activities of the Union and to give them the opportunity to meet and link up with other young members outside of the more traditional Branch meetings.

At CWU Biennial Conference 2012, the following motion was passed unanimously:

“Conference instructs the incoming National Executive to require, where possible, each Branch Committee to designate a member of the Committee to act as “Youth Officer” to advocate youth issues.”

The intention of the motion was that an existing member of a Branch Committee would be designated as a Youth Officer rather than the position being elected separately at the Branch AGM.

Since then, the Youth Committee has further clarified their ideas in relation to the role of Youth Officer and that the role would consist of, but not be limited to, the following:

 Identifying and contacting young members 

Arranging/holding meetings with young members



Recruiting young members into the Union



Advising young members of the role of the Youth Committee and the Union



Advocating youth issues and assisting young members with individual issues



Identify themselves to management as Youth Officers for the area



Access to CWU noticeboards for Youth Notices

TESTIMONIALS

The Youth Committee is a forum for young people to get involved in trade unionism – a way to better understand the workings of our Union. I’ve been involved in the Committee for over six years now and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. Through the Youth Committee I’ve travelled to many Annual Conferences, nationally and internationally. I’ve met good friends and made friends for life. I’ve attended Summer Schools around Europe and countless training events. None of this would have been made possible if we had no Youth Committee. The Youth Committee can only go from strength‐to‐strength if the young people of the CWU get involved. If you would like to get involved with your local Branch but feel you don’t understand the workings of it, come along to our regular meetings. We hold numerous training events throughout the year which will help you build up you skills and confidence to go forward as a Branch Rep or Officer. People say the youth are the future of the Union. With your help we can change this to the here and now.

Eric Partridge Dublin Postal Amalgamated Branch

It is just over 18 months since I attended the Open Day organised by our Youth Committee and it was a day that had a profound effect on me as a young trade unionist. I was initially quite cynical about the nature and purpose of the Youth Committee and, if I’m honest, I thought it would be nothing more than a talking shop for younger members of the CWU. The reality however, was quite different. I found myself surrounded by other young workers who not only wanted to discuss important socio‐economic issues but who also wanted to become active agents of positive change in society. I left the meeting with a renewed belief in what young workers could achieve when acting collectively and in solidarity with one another. Since then I have become an active member of the Youth Committee, campaigning on issues such as emigration, youth unemployment and against a government that continually chooses to attack the most vulnerable in our society. The Youth Committee affords our younger members the opportunity to play a key role in the fight against austerity and it is an opportunity I would encourage them all to take.

Derek Keenan Dublin Postal Driver’s Branch

What has the CWU Youth Committee done for me? It has taught me the skills needed to represent my Branch members at local level. It has given me the confidence I needed to stand up and talk in front of May’s Biennial Conference. It has given me an understanding of the workings of the CWU as a whole. It has allowed me meet fellow youth members across the country. It has given me the determination to stand up and take charge of campaigns that the Youth Committee is running. It has given me the opportunity to meet trade union members from different countries and backgrounds, and share our experiences. It has stimulated my interest in the national problems facing not just our Union, but our nation. The question isn’t what has the CWU Youth Committee done for me; the question is what it HASN’T it done for me!

Barry Gorman Portlaoise Postal Branch

I became involved with the Youth Committee after being invited to attend an Open Day in 2011. At first I was a bit sceptical about the whole thing but I was pleasantly surprised when I met a lot of people of a similar age to me, who were interested in many of the same things as me and faced many of the same problems that I faced in my workplace. I enjoyed the fact that I was able to discuss problems with counterparts from across the country that had faced or were facing the same situations as myself. We were able to trade advice and ideas about how to improve our situations.

One of the best things I have taken from the Youth Committee has been the many training events that have been afforded to me. They have been of immense help in my everyday workplace. The training has been of great assistance and proved invaluable to me in getting elected to the position of Chairperson of my own local Branch.

I have thoroughly enjoyed taking part in protests and other activities with my colleagues in the Youth Committee. I would love to see the Youth Committee grow even bigger and really make a difference by bringing issues that affect young workers to the forefront of the trade union movement.

James Moore Dublin Postal Amalgamated Branch

CHAIRPERSON’S ADDRESS

Mo chairde, This will be the last time I get to write to you as Chairperson of our CWU Youth Committee; and what a year it has been! I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Youth Committee and feel it’s time to stand aside and allow other members the chance to show leadership. I wish the best of luck to the incoming Chairperson and Vice‐Chair, and will give them any assistance they need in their future endeavours. I have really enjoyed working with Caroline and with our Youth Committee. I would like to thank all those involved with the Youth Committee for all their support and attendance throughout the year.

Below is a timeline of what we achieved during 2012

January We held our first Youth Committee AGM back in January 2012 in Wynn’s Hotel on Abbey Street. It was a great success with young members from all over Ireland attending. There were some great discussions on the day and we had the privilege of having the General Secretary attending as a guest speaker. Also on the day we had a number of motions and rule changes passed with one of the motions later put to conference and successfully passed. We then had elections for the position of Chairperson and Vice‐Chair. I was elected as Chairperson and Caroline Corcoran was elected as Vice‐Chair.

February We had three of our Youth Committee members elected to frontline positions within their own local Branches:

James Moore: Chairperson, Dublin Postal Amalgamated Branch Eric Partridge: Treasurer, Dublin Postal Amalgamated Branch Barry Gorman: Committee Member, Portlaoise Postal Branch

This is a credit to our Youth Committee and to the hard work we have all put in. Whether it is attending Committee meetings or training events, there’s always a great turn out, so get involved.

Also in February James Moore and I attended a seminar over in Manchester for 3 days, run by the steering group of UNI Europa Youth. This seminar was structured around youth unemployment and temporary agency , with attendances from UNI affiliates from across Europe (120 people in all). A short video made by James on temporary agency workers was shown during the seminar.

May We attended the union’s Biennial Conference and had our Youth Committee stand, which highlighted all our activities to date. We were also invited to speak to the private sector delegates.

We put forward our first Motion to Conference through the Dublin Postal Amalgamated Branch. James Moore moved the motion at conference.

Motion:

“We instruct the incoming National Executive to require, where possible, each Branch Committee designates a member of the Committee to act as “Youth Officer” to advocate youth issues.”

This motion was successfully passed.

On the last day of conference I gave a presentation on the Youth Committee activities and as Head of Campaigns, Barry Gorman gave a presentation of the many campaigns the Youth Committee is involved in.

I would like to congratulate Marita Davis on becoming our first official Youth Officer within her local Branch, with the rest of our Youth Committee following suit.

September I would like to congratulate Derek Keenan, who was elected in September to the Dublin Council of Trade Unions as our Youth Committee’s voice where he has helped to influence and implement our opinions at this level.

November Barry Gorman attended the CWU UK’s National Youth Education Event in Belfast where he helped bridge the gap between our Youth Committees. I hope now with this cross‐border networking we can build a lasting friendship between both Youth Committees with commitment to fight in solidarity on all issues that affect our young members both nationally and internationally.

Also in November, members of the Youth Committee attended the DCTU Anti‐Austerity Demonstrtion where we unveiled our “The Scattering” poster. It turned out to be a huge success with many different organisations asking for copies and sharing the poster on social media sites. Speaking from the platform, Derek Keenan gave the Youth Committee’s views on the affect this government’s policies are having on the youth of our country to a huge crowd. The video is available on the CWU website.

Campaigns During the year, we launched several campaigns and endorsed others, such as: Mental Health Killer Coke (Coca‐Cola) Justice for Colombia Resisting Austerity/ Youth Unemployment (ScamBridge)

And thanks to the dedication of the Youth Committee members, we are making great headway on all these campaigns. (More information provided below).

Some people ask “what does the labour movement do for us and what does it mean?”

It means just this: it is the last noble protest of Irish people against the power of incorporated wealth. We need to organise and stand together, claim something together and at once let the nation, employers and government hear a united voice. (Wendell Phillips, American Abolitionist & Native American advocate)

What can the labour movement do for us? The answer is not difficult. Labour can organise, it can unify. It can consolidate its forces. This done, it can demand and command. (Eugene V. Debs, American Labour & political leader)

The most important word in the language of the working class is “solidarity”. My friends, solidarity in the labour movement is what we want. We do not want to find fault with each other, but to solidify our forces, and to say to each other: we must be together. Our masters are joined together and we must do the same thing.

(Harry Bridges, American Labour leader & trade unionist)

The main objective of the Youth Committee is to give young members of the CWU a voice and a foundation on which to build a better life within the union and within our many workplaces. We provide training, support and a forum by way of monthly meetings, etc. So if you’re interested in joining, please forward your name to Fionnuala at fnib@cwu.ie

It's our union, our voice. Get involved. Make a difference. Don't wait for someone else to do it for you. It's our workplace, not theirs.

REPORT ON THE CWU YOUTH COMMITTEE AGM 2012 WYNN’S HOTEL, DUBLIN

14th January 2012 The Annual General Meeting of the Communications Workers’ Union Youth Committee was held in Wynn’s Hotel, Dublin on Saturday, 14th January 2012. All attendees gave a brief introduction and Fionnuala discussed some general procedures for the AGM. Finally it was agreed that some Agenda items be moved to facilitate the address by the General Secretary, Steve Fitzpatrick.

The AGM elected the following Teller:

Head Office Ciara Ní Mhaoilfhinn

1. Annual Report The Annual Report was read to the meeting. It was noted that 2011 had been a building exercise for the Youth Committee and that 2012 would be a time for action. It was further noted that ICTU Youth has been on hiatus and will remain so until the completion of the report from the High‐Level Taskforce. As there were no revisions the Annual Report was agreed.

Proposed:

James Moore Seconded:

Eric Partridge

2. Standing Orders The floor was opened to a discussion on the Standing Orders.

The issues of eligibility to attend national/ international youth events, voting rights and the postal/ telecom split for the Chair and Vice‐Chair positions were raised and discussed.

Eligibility to Attend Events  It was suggested that to be eligible to attend such events, as and when they take place, those interested in attending should be required to have attended a minimum of TWO Youth Committee meetings in the previous six months. A discussion ensued on whether training events should not be counted but that giving apologies prior to the meeting would be counted.  It was also pointed out that the level of participation at meetings was not always reflective of an individual’s commitment, given the restrictions in using conference call facilities, shift work or the location of the meeting in relation to a member’s own location.  Fionnuala agreed to look into the legitimacy of these proposed restrictions with the National Executive Council and revert to the Committee.

Voting Rights  It was suggested that having the right to vote should be restricted to those who actively participate in the Committee throughout the year.  Several members agreed that voting rights should be restricted to those who participate.  Other members pointed out that getting released to attend meetings or training was often an issue in the workplace which instantly put some members at a disadvantage if voting rights were to be restricted. It was noted however that those seeking a nomination for election should be required to demonstrate the work they have done for the Committee.  It was then stated that anyone who turns up to a meeting at which a vote is taking place should be entitled to vote if they are an ‘in benefit’ member of the Union. It was noted that democratically it should be ‘one man, one vote’.  Another member agreed that this should be the practice. It was stated that restricting voting rights in this manner would disenfranchise young members and excluding anyone was undemocratic.

 

It was further stated that if you do any work for the Committee during the year you should be entitled to vote and while it did seem unfair to those who may have done a great deal of work and may not be elected, it was important to retain democracy.

Fionnuala again agreed to discuss the restriction of voting rights with the National Executive Council and revert to the Committee.

Postal/ Telecoms Split  It was proposed that the split was unnecessary and it should be up to a direct vote who is elected.  The point was raised that a telecoms worker had different issues than a postal worker and that it was important for the Committee to retain the split on that basis.  Another member stated that he felt the split should be retained.  A further member stated that he believed it was irrelevant if the members of the Committee were from the postal or telecoms side.  It was also suggested that there should be representatives from the postal and telecoms sides, rather than a Chair or Vice‐Chair.  The point was raised that work issues are proper to Branch Committees and therefore individual postal/ telecoms issues were irrelevant. The Youth Committee’s remit is to focus on issues facing young workers across the board.  A vote was taken on whether to abolish the third paragraph of Standing Order 2:

Proposed: Barry Gorman

10 votes in favour Seconded: Derek Keenan

2 votes against 3 abstained MOTION PASSED

Committee Ownership The issue regarding the level of input into Committee direction by CWU Head Office staff was raised.  It was clarified that Head Office had undertaken the administration of the Youth Committee in the short‐term while supporting the growth and development of the Committee to its current positive state. As the Committee is now stronger in numbers and activism, the duties of the Committee should be increasingly carried out directly by the Committee.  The floor suggested that now they had a strong Committee that it was time they took over responsibility for the work.  The members agreed that this was a positive move and agreed CWU Head Office should continue to provide a support role.

Proposed: Derek Keenan

15 votes in favour Seconded: Caroline Corcoran

0 votes against 0 abstained MOTION PASSED

Chair/ Vice‐Chair Term It was suggested that the term for the Chair and Vice‐Chair be changed from two years to one year.  Everyone agreed that this would be fairer given the age and time restrictions for serving on the Committee.

Proposed: Eric Partridge

15 votes in favour Seconded: Caroline Corcoran

0 votes against 0 abstained MOTION PASSED

3. Elections for Chairperson and Vice‐Chairperson

Chairperson Eric Partridge 12 votes Elected

James Moore 2 votes

Vice‐Chairperson Caroline Corcoran Elected

Barry Gorman

Due to prevailing Standing Orders requiring that the Chair and Vice‐Chair positions consist of one member from postal and one from telecoms, and the fact that both nominees for Chairperson came from the postal side, the Vice‐Chair was elected uncontested.

4. Address by the General Secretary The General Secretary, Steve Fitzpatrick, addressed the meeting. He discussed the importance of young members and young workers becoming active in the Union and the wider labour movement. Mr Fitzpatrick affirmed his commitment to the work of the Youth Committee and his hope to see it increase its profile within all companies where the CWU has members and not just the traditional An Post and eircom Branches. He then invited questions from the floor. These included:

 Advice for young union activists



How to deal with managers



How to work within the agreed procedures between the company/ union



How to organise and bargain in ‘non‐union’ or ‘anti‐union’ companies



The effect of Social Partnership on grassroots activism and the perception of unions



The responsiveness of unions to the political environment

 The organisational capacity of ICTU

5. Election for UNI Youth Seminar Eric Partridge gave a brief overview of the work of UNI Youth and his role as Sub‐Regional Officer of the Steering Group. There were three nominations for the Observer position at the Seminar.

8 votes for James Moore

4 votes for Barry Gorman

1 vote for Siva Kadimisetty

2 abstained

JAMES MOORE ELECTED TO ATTEND

6. Motions to Conference The samples of the types of motions that can be submitted to Biennial Conference were explained, emphasising the distinction between a motion and action points for the Youth Committee’s work. Motions that had been discussed at previous meetings were read out with the meeting voting by show of hands.

That Branches be required to nominate a Youth Officer (where possible)

15 in favour

0 against

0 abstained

MOTION APPROVED

That the Youth Committee be included as an item on the NEC agenda/ Youth nominees to present quarterly to NEC

14 in favour

1 against

0 abstained

MOTION APPROVED

That the Youth Committee be given the opportunity to present during General Session at Biennial Conference/ Spring Seminar

15 in favour

0 against

0 abstained

MOTION APPROVED

That the NEC develop and produce a CWU ‘app’ Ciara Ní Mhaoilfhinn to investigate the cost and functionality and revert back to the Committee.

Designated funding for the Youth Committee Fionnuala to investigate the best method of directing the funding for the work of the Youth Committee, whether this be a fixed budget or direct request to Head Office and revert back to the Committee.

7. Campaigns for 2012 Prior to the AGM, the Committee discussed suggested campaigns, which were then listed on the Agenda. These were itemised and debated.

 Justice for Colombia  Resisting austerity



Killer Coke



Work Placement Programme (JobsBridge)



Headstrong



Youth unemployment

It was agreed that Working Groups would be established to share the work on these campaigns between the Youth Committee members. The Committee agreed that Working Groups would choose the campaigns in which they had the most interest. These Working Groups would then be responsible for research, directing activities and reporting back to the general Youth Committee at Committee meetings.

The Committee allocated the campaigns as follows:

Justice for Colombia:  Caroline Corcoran Resisting Austerity:  James Moore  Derek Keenan  Eric Partridge  James Moore  Caroline Corcoran

Killer Coke:  Teige O’Loideoin Media Impact/ Communications:  Barry Gorman  Derek Keenan  Caroline Corcoran

Youth Unemployment (incl. WPP/ JobsBridge):  Derek Keenan Mental health issues affecting young workers:  Caroline Corcoran  Barry Gorman  Teige O’Loideoin  James Moore  Eric Partridge

 Barry Gorman

As the meeting was running well over time it was agreed to discuss training and conference at the next Youth Committee meeting, which is scheduled to take place in mid‐February.

Non‐Voting Attendees: Steve Fitzpatrick

CWU General Secretary (Guest Speaker) Fionnuala Ní Bhrógáin CWU Youth Liaison Officer CWU Youth Administrator Ciara Ní Mhaoilfhinn Adam O’Maolagáin CWU Head Office (Observer) Amanda O’Hara

CWU Head Office (Observer)

Delegates

Barry Gorman Portlaoise Postal Carol Scott

Portlaoise Postal Caroline Corcoran Dublin Clerical & Admin Dean Holmes Dublin Postal Delivery Derek Keenan Dublin Postal Drivers Eoin MacQuail Dublin No.1 Eric Partridge Dublin Postal Amalgamated Dublin Postal Delivery James Doyle James Moore Dublin Postal Amalgamated James O’Sullivan Killarney Postal Joseph Galvin Research & Markets Marita Davis Limerick Postal Padraig O’Connor Enniscorthy Postal Siva Kadimisetty Dublin Clerical & Admin Teige O’Loideoin Dublin Clerical & Admin*

CAMPAIGN UPDATES

Resisting Austerity/ Youth Unemployment Recognising the devastating effect that austerity measures were having on the lives of ordinary people in Ireland, the Youth Committee resolved to play an active role in any campaigns that sought to resist the implementation of such regressive socio‐economic policies, particularly those that effected young workers.

With this in mind the Youth Committee identified youth unemployment as an important issue that needed to be addressed. For us “Emigration is not a jobs policy” nor is the current JobBridge national internship programme, a scheme that depresses real job creation by allowing companies to avail of free labour instead of hiring paid employees. In response to government claims that JobBridge had been a huge success and at the request of our General Secretary, the Youth Committee published a report into the scheme, the findings of which cast serious doubt over claims of its success.

In opposing JobBridge the Youth Committee has given support to the campaign of Socialist Party MEP Paul Murphy who recently set up a new innovative website – ScamBridge. The idea of the website is simple, to expose the many dubious internships advertised on the JobBridge website and to create a space where interns could share their experiences of the scheme. To date there has been a huge response to the ScamBridge website and with the help of the Youth Committee this could be translated into positive action for the interns concerned. The campaign will begin in earnest in the New Year when both groups agree upon a more focused plan of action.

The Youth Committee has also been involved in the on‐going fight against austerity. Having a representative at the Dublin Council of Trade Unions has given the Youth Committee an influential role in helping to shape and galvanise trade union resistance to austerity. Throughout the year the Youth Committee have made their presence felt at various public protests, including the pre‐budget demo organised by the DCTU where we had a speaker and where our “The Scattering” themed posters proved a big hit with marchers. There will no doubt be an escalation of these protests in the coming year, as the government shows no signs of abandoning their ideological devotion to austerity.

Mental Health In 2012 the Youth Committee started a mental health campaign aimed at promoting mental wellness among the CWU’s members, young and old. We started working with ReachOut.com, a not‐for‐profit charity centered around young people which aims to take the stigma out of mental illnesses, and to provide people with information and help. During the year, we created a poster for our campaign which was published in the CWU’s journal, Connect. The Youth Committee has also had many pieces on mental wellbeing featured in Connect, and in the Youth Committee newsletter. We are also in the process of creating a pamphlet for good mental health, with tips and tricks to keeping a positive mental attitude.

Justice for Colombia Justice for Colombia is a campaign network to promote the rights of trade unionists and human rights activists in Colombia who are routinely targeted by the state and right‐wing paramilitaries for their work. The Youth Committee took part in several email campaigns seeking justice and protection for various activists. The Committee also undertook a letter campaign to President Santos regarding death threats against 13 human rights defenders. Most recently, the Youth Committee undertook to write to all Irish MEPs in the lead up to a vote in Europe on the EU/Colombia Free Trade Agreement. Paul Murphy MEP raised the concerns of the Youth Committee during the debate on the FTA, which unfortunately was passed. The campaign will now focus at national level, where the Youth Committee will engage with our own government to oppose the FTA, which requires each individual Member State to agree it before it can be ratified.

CWU Youth Committee AGM, January 2013