The AFL-CIO’s 2013 Law Student Union Summer (LSUS) program included seven first- and second-year law students who worked with six different unions on-site at locations across the country in support of organizing and contract campaigns.
| Portland, Ore. | International Association of Machinists |
| Detroit | American Federation of Teachers |
| San Francisco | International Federation of Professional & Technical Engineers |
| New York | Communications Workers of America |
| Los Angeles | United Steel Workers |
| Chicago and Boston | UNITE HERE |
LSUS interns contributed their organizing, research, analytical and legal skills, as well as enthusiasm, energy and creativity. They interviewed workers, investigated wage and hour and other labor law violations, worked with allied community organizations and worker centers and researched issues such as supervisory status, bargaining obligations and others. They engaged in community organizing and member mobilization, participated with lobbying efforts and were involved with contract negotiations and arbitrations. Most took part in grassroots organizing activities, attending rallies, leafleting, making house calls and meetings with workers.
For these interns, LSUS was a rare opportunity for an up-close, hands-on experience—hard work as uniquely rewarding and inspiring as only labor law can be. They gained valuable experience and learned a lot.
“Overall, I couldn’t ask for a better summer experience. I wanted an unorthodox, out-of-the-box experience this summer and I got all of that. The fact that I went from doing legal memos to picketing from one day to another was awesome. I liked that each day posed different challenges and tasks. I also liked the way I was personally challenged.”
“This summer has been an amazing experience. I learned how to bargain, develop contract language, research NLRB cases, have an organizing conversation and so much more. I have loved every minute of it and I cannot wait to graduate to get back into this.”
[Describing a training program the intern conducted for 80 union stewards.] “It was a great feeling when different individuals approached me after the training to tell me what a good job I did. They truly valued my work and that was a rewarding experience. I honestly feel that throughout this summer my work was appreciated, demonstrating that I wasn’t just an ‘intern’ but I was a member of the union’s family.”
