Trade unions, young people. Youth employment (which exists), representation (which is needed). A book tells the story

The aim is ambitious, especially in these times when the combination of young people and work is considered impossible (there are no jobs), or is rejected (in its various forms, with its meritocratic demands and poor pay). Yet this ambitious goal can be pursued by breathing new life into something that might seem outdated: bringing young people closer to trade union representation. In other words, taking seriously the possibility of defending their dignity and their place in a world of work that is changing at the speed of an algorithm. Especially in Lombardy.

A number of CISL trade unionists, Luca Pesenti, a lecturer in Sociology at the Catholic University, and several labour law experts – all members of the Ettore Calvi Cultural Circle and joint authors of a pamphlet entitled “Giovani lavoro sindacato. Il circolo Ettore Calvi 2012-2026” (Concreo Edizioni) – are tackling this issue. It is often not size that makes the difference, especially in an era of declining participation; this is why the Calvi Circle’s work, particularly with young people entering the labour market, is culturally and socially significant. In the book, the clearest picture of the state of trade union representation is provided by Professor Luca Pesenti, who speaks of “social and cultural stagnation”. He explains: “Only a small minority of Italian citizens actively participate in the country’s social and associative life, whilst trust in intermediary bodies – trade unions and movements – is itself also in decline”. Referring subsequently to the Church’s social doctrine, Pesenti explains that “educating oneself in representation is neither a romantic nor a rhetorical exercise, but an urgent necessity linked to the expression of personality and the building of democracies”These are views that can be shared from a secular perspective. Development models affect young people first and foremost. “The rise of robotics, digitalisation and, most recently, artificial intelligence is substantially redefining production methods, the skills required and career paths, whilst at the same time affecting the organisation of work and relations between workers”. All of this also has implications in the realm of representation. In this context, the trade unionist becomes “an agent who performs a strategic function of social mediation”. “In a context characterised by instability and profound structural transformations, representation takes on a role of institutional rebalancing”, concludes Pesenti.

Massimo Ferlini, former Milanese president of the Compagnia delle Opere, an expert in labour policy and author of the book’s afterword, explains: “The majority of young people involved in the Calvi club’s activities are members of Felsa Cisl, which brings together workers in the temporary employment sector, self-employed individuals, delivery riders. It is a trade union born out of a CdO–CISL agreement during the time of Massimo D’Antona (who was killed by the Red Brigades), which later also gave rise to Obiettivo Lavoro, with a specific focus on vulnerable groups”. “For the trade union, it is not just a matter of returning to a role of making demands, but of combining this with the ability to act as a promoter and organiser of new services and initiatives within society.” And this is where worker participation in the enterprise comes in (Law 76, 15 May 2025): “The aim,” concludes Ferlini, “is not to change the world but the reality of work, starting with young people.” Indeed, some major energy and infrastructure companies, such as Saipem (San Donato Milanese), as well as the cooperative sector, have set up, in collaboration with the trade unions, joint works councils focused on organisational wellbeing, safety and welfare. But we are only just beginning.