Greater efforts must be made to encourage young people to join unions, Frances O’Grady says.
The Trades Union Congress boss said the organisations are still seen as “white, male and stale”, and need to show they are more representative of society.
She wants all young people to recognise the value of being in a union.
Less than 8% of those aged 18 to 24 are members of one.
But young workers are more likely to be in insecure and poorly paid jobs, especially in retail and hospitality.
Ms O’Grady said unions are at the forefront of the campaign to raise the national minimum wage for young workers, which is just £4.35 for under 18s and £7.70 for 21 to 24 year olds. It is £8.21 for anyone of 25 or over.
She said it “offends your basic sense of justice” that more than a quarter of a million workers are being paid less for doing the same jobs.
The TUC general secretary added unions are also there to fight harassment at work and to try to stop young people being exploited through unpaid internships.
Asked how young people perceive unions, she said: “We still suffer a bit from the male, pale, stale stereotype.”
But she said the TUC is working to change this and that the majority of union members are women.
She added: “There is a genuine commitment in the trade union movement to champion young workers.”
Young union members have been standing shoulder to shoulder. Last year staff at JD Wetherspoon pubs in Brighton, East Sussex, went on strike over issues such as youth pay rates.
Alex McIntyre, 19, who took part, said: “The reality that our collective strength was greater than that of the company was paramount to our success.”
They were supported by the Bakers Food and Allied Workers’ Union.
