The AFL-CIO’s 2009 Law Student Union Summer program included nine first and second year law students who worked with nine different unions, on-site at nine locations across the country, in support of organizing and contract campaigns.
Los Angeles, Calif.
United Steelworkers of America
Oakland, Calif.
California Nurses Association
Detroit, MI
International Union of Operating Engineers
Burlington, VT
American Federation of Teachers
Charleston, WV
United Mine Workers of America
Mississippi and Alabama
International Union, UAW
San Francisco, Calif.
International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers
Somerset, N.J.
Communications Workers of America
Lansing, MI
United American Nurses
LSUS interns contributed their organizing and legal skills, as
well as enthusiasm and energy. They interviewed workers, investigated wage and
hour and other labor law violations, worked with community organizations, and
worker centers, and researched supervisory status, job misclassification, privacy
and other worker issues. They engaged in community organizing and member
mobilization, participated with lobbying efforts, ,and were involved with
contract negotiations and arbitrations. Most took part in mobilizing and
organizing activities, attending rallies, leafleting, making house calls and
helping with meetings.
For the interns, LSUS was a rare opportunity for up-close,
hands-on experience – hard work and as uniquely frustrating and inspiring as
only labor law can be. They gained valuable experience and learned a lot.
