AFL-CIO Union Summer Offers a Progressive Internship Option

by Mike Hall, Apr 12, 2007

Union Summer interns take part in a strategy session during an organizing training session.

Are you—or do you know—a college student or recent grad with an activist streak who wants to do something a bit more significant this summer than a beach trip, beer bash or burger flipping?

Check out the AFL-CIO Union Summer program, started in 1996 to provide students an opportunity to work for social and economic justice through workplace and community organizing. Since 1996, nearly 3,000 young men and women have taken part in this unique baptism of union activism and many continue to work for justice as union organizers and community activists.

Union Summer is accepting applications through May 4 for the 10-week program that includes a week of intensive orientation and training and nine weeks in the field. The program is open to current college juniors and seniors, plus recent graduates.

Previous Union Summer interns have been part of a canvassing team, building support for important working family issues such as the Employee Free Choice Act, health care or living wage laws. They have worked directly with unions to help organize picket lines, marches and demonstrations, and assisted in spearheading union-community coalitions.

Union Summer participants will receive a $300-a-week stipend, plus housing and local transportation costs at the Union Summer site to which they are assigned. Participants are responsible for transportation costs to and from the training and orientation.

The 2007 sites have not been determined but should be set by the end of May. Efforts will be made to accommodate location preferences, but candidates must be flexible because sites are selected based on the needs of particular campaigns.

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