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Union Summer

Union Summer is an educational internship in which participants are introduced to the labor movement and organizing. The 2012 Union Summer internship will run from June 18 through Aug. 17. It will begin with a weeklong orientation and training, which will be held June 18-June 24.

After the training, interns will work in teams on union organizing drives in various parts of the country. Interns will play an important role in helping build support for workers trying to gain a voice in their workplaces and community. The work could include working on state legislative battles, talking with workers one on one about their jobs, planning and participating in direct actions such as marches or assisting in building relationships with community, labor and religious organizations. With the general elections coming in November, Union Summer may have an opportunity to assist with voter registration, education and voter protection planning and activities.

Internship Requirements

Union Summer interns should 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.

Union Summer interns must be:

Flexible;
Adaptable in the face of new challenges and experiences;
Able to work in teams and have excellent communication skills;
Open to working with people of different races, ethnic backgrounds, religions and sexual orientations;
Willing to immerse themselves in an intensive learning-by-doing experience; and
Able to work sometimes long and irregular hours.

A sense of humor is also a definite asset. In some areas, applicants who are fluent in a language other than English will be given preference, based on the needs of a specific internship site and organizing campaign. The Union Summer program is committed to achieving diversity among interns, which reflects, as closely as possible, the diversity of the workforce with which we are working.

The above interests and qualities should be demonstrated clearly in the written Union Summer application and in the interview process.