International
The union has a proud internationalist tradition. When the very first youth workers’ union was formed in Manchester in 1886 the women workers who formed it immediately established contact with their counterparts in New York. Since that time community and youth workers in their union have extended the hand of international friendship to workers and young people throughout the world and have taken up many international causes. These are regularly reported on In Rapport. At a professional level international exchange work is a vital part of youth and community work practice and our members are closely involved with taking young people and community groups overseas to experience, often for the first time, another country. As trade unionists we support youth and community workers overseas in their work to establish youth and community services and organise as professionals and trade unionists. Also we support workers in struggle for peace and progress throughout the world and all those fighting social injustice. We have supported many anti child labour campaigns. We have sent regular delegations to support other countries in their efforts to do better for young people and workers. As CYWU we were pleased to move motions at the Trades Union Congress which led to the first substantial formal links with Cuba. We also moved motions at the TUC against the Iraq war and warned of the danger of increasing integration into the neoliberal agenda of the European Union. Unite has built a very strong internationalist tradition also.