Young worker activists gather in Moncton for launch of 2026 YIP season
Moncton, N.B. – May 15, 2026 – The 2026 season of the UFCW Canada Young Workers Internship Program (YIP) got underway this spring in Moncton, New Brunswick, bringing together a new group of young activists from across Atlantic Canada for a week of education, collaboration, and leadership development.
As one of Canada’s premier labour education initiatives for young workers, YIP continues to empower UFCW Canada members with the tools, knowledge, and confidence needed to become strong advocates in their workplaces and communities.
Throughout the week, participants took part in dynamic workshops and hands-on training sessions covering key aspects of the labour movement, including organizing, collective bargaining, political action, lobbying, campaigning, and strategic communications. The program is designed to help young workers better understand the power of collective action while developing practical skills they can bring back to their locals and workplaces.
“Participating in UFCW’s 2026 Young Workers Internship Program in Moncton, New Brunswick was an incredible experience that gave me a deeper understanding of the labour movement and the importance of worker activism,” says Griffin Milley, a UFCW Local 864 member. “Throughout the program, we took part in discussions and training focused on politics, lobbying, organizing, bargaining, campaigning, and effective communication — all skills that can be applied directly to real-life labour activism and workplace advocacy.”
“YIP helped strengthen my confidence as a young worker and showed me how collective action, education, and solidarity can create meaningful change for workers and communities alike,” Milley adds. “The connections made and lessons learned during the program are something I’ll carry forward in both my union involvement and everyday life.”
Each year, UFCW Canada’s YIP connects with more than 100 young member-activists from coast to coast, helping to build the next generation of labour leaders.
To learn more about the Young Workers Internship Program, click here. You can also follow the journey on Facebook and Instagram.
