Union Renewal Starts Locally: ETUCE’s “Your Turn 2” Workshop in Utrecht
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On 2-3 October 2025, ETUCE, in collaboration with Dutch education union AOb, hosted the second training workshop of the “Your Turn 2: Teachers for Trade Union Renewal” project in Utrecht. This event followed the first successful gathering in Barcelona and focused on a critical theme for trade unions today: how to renew and strengthen union power by supporting key local leaders.
Union renewal is not automatic, it requires deliberate action. Participants from across Europe came together to share experiences, reflect on their personal journeys into union involvement, and explore how grassroots leadership can be developed in their own contexts. The workshop highlighted that key local leaders – those colleagues who serve as the visible and trusted face of the union in the workplace – play a vital role in connecting members to the organisation in real and meaningful ways.
Over two days, the workshop featured group discussions, personal storytelling, practical role-play exercises, and collaborative planning. Participants examined how leadership looks different across countries, sectors, and cultures, and explored strategies for identifying and nurturing these leaders. A recurring theme was that this work takes time – leadership development is a “marathon, not a sprint” – and requires sustained effort, resources, and a commitment to inclusivity.
One key focus was on the power of “organising conversations”: direct, personal exchanges that can transform passive members into active ones, and even into future leaders. Through role-play, participants practiced these skills and discussed how to pass them on to local leaders in their unions.
The second day centred on action planning. Participants developed practical initiatives to strengthen workplace leadership and support union renewal from the ground up. These ideas will feed into the final report of the Your Turn 2 project and contribute to the upcoming final conference in February 2026 in Vilnius.
The workshop concluded with a clear takeaway: renewing our unions begins with empowering those closest to the members. By developing local leadership, unions can build lasting strength, deeper engagement, and a more democratic future.
