What is Union Summer?
Union Summer is a nine-week educational internship in which participants are introduced to the labor movement through union organizing campaigns. It begins with a weeklong orientation and training in mid-June. After the orientation, interns will work in teams on union organizing campaigns across the country. Interns will play an important role in helping build support for workers trying to gain a voice in their workplaces and in their communities.
What do Union Summer interns do?
Union Summer intern work could include (but not limited to):
- Working on state legislative battles
- Talking with workers one on one about their jobs
- Planning and participating in direct actions like marches
- Assisting in building relationships with community, labor and religious organizations.
What kinds of qualifications are needed to participate in Union Summer?
Union Summer interns must be dedicated to social and economic justice and have a specific desire to learn about the labor movement. It is NOT necessary to have union experience or knowledge of the labor movement to be accepted as a Union Summer intern, but such a background is a plus in the application process.
Do Union Summer interns get paid?
Union Summer is NOT a job but an educational internship. Participants will receive a stipend of $400 per week (minus taxes). Union Summer does NOT provide a housing allowance. Accepted applicants MUST have housing in cities where Union Summer sites have been designated.
Please visit www.aflcio.org/unionsummer for more information. Application deadline is April 3, 2015.
