By Becky Wright, Executive Director, Unions21 | 2 min
I remember walking into a members’ meeting and being by far, the youngest person in the room. When I go to meetings now, the gap has changed: I’m definitely not the youngest, but still not the oldest either.
Is this typical?
Across Europe, our movement is facing a quiet but massive challenge: the "silver tsunami”. Our latest research shows that 35% of workers in the EU are now aged 50 or over. In the UK and Ireland, that figure is around 30%. While experience is the bedrock of our movement, this demographic shift raises a critical question: what’s our plan for the future?
In some sectors, this isn't a distant challenge; it's happening right now. In Irish agriculture, nearly two-thirds of the workforce is over 50. In core unionised areas like transport, public administration and education, the number of experienced members nearing retirement is growing every year.
This is more than just a numbers game. It’s about knowledge, leadership and the very future of our unions. When a generation of experienced reps, activists and members retires, what happens to their decades of institutional memory and bargaining expertise? Who will step up to fill their roles?
This demographic shift is a challenge we all share, and it’s not just about recruiting new, younger members to fill the gaps. It’s about building a bridge between generations.
How are we actively mentoring the next generation of union leaders? Are we creating spaces where younger workers feel their voices are heard and valued?
What are we doing to capture the invaluable knowledge of our long-serving members? Could we create mentorship programs or "knowledge-sharing" archives?
How do we make our union structures and communications more accessible and appealing to a multi-generational workforce?
For unions, this can be seen as an opportunity to re-evaluate, innovate and strengthen. It’s a chance to ask ourselves tough questions about how we develop talent, how we communicate our purpose and how we ensure the wisdom of one generation becomes the strength of the next.
This is a conversation we need to have together. What is your union doing to prepare for this shift? What are the biggest challenges you see on the horizon? Share your thoughts and experiences with us - let's build a movement that honours our past and is ready for the future.
