What is Union Summer?
Union Summer is a 10-week educational internship in which participants develop skills useful for union organizing. Launched in 1996, Union Summer has graduated nearly 3,000 activists, many of whom continue to work for social justice.

Union Summer is committed to uniting workers, students and community activists to bring about social justice through workplace and community organizing.

Why Union Summer?
More than ever before, workers are fighting for a voice on the job and in the public debate on issues affecting all working people. As income inequality grows and CEOs enjoy outrageous pay packages, workers continue to face layoffs, stagnant wages and loss of benefits. As activists committed to social and economic just, Union Summer interns help build the union movement.

What kind of qualifications are needed to participate in Union Summer?
A strong commitment to social and economic justice, as well as an openness to working with people of various races, ethnicities, religions and sexual orientations are critical qualifications. Participants need to be people oriented, enthusiastic, energetic, flexible and willing to work long hours on an unpredictable schedule. A college degree is not required. Previous union experience is not necessary. Volunteerism or activism is a plus! We are accepting applications only from students who are currently college juniors, seniors or recent college graduates.

What do Union Summer interns do?

The program begins with an intensive weeklong orientation and training. After the training, interns will work in teams in various parts of the country.

The work could include canvassing neighborhoods about such important issues as overtime pay, visiting workers in their homes, finding out what workers would like to change at their jobs, organizing picket lines, participating in direct actions such as marches and demonstrations, assisting in building coalitions between labor and community organizations, educating the public or rallying support on an important workers’ rights issue or campaign. Every assignment will help workers in their fight for workplace justice.

Do Union Summer interns get paid?
Union Summer is not a job but an educational internship. Participants will receive a stipend of $300 per week to cover meals and other incidental expenses. Taxes will be deducted from the stipend. Each intern will be responsible for getting to and from the orientation training. Housing and any local transportation costs are covered by the program. Accommodations usually include college dorms, hotels or hostels.

Where is Union Summer going to take place? Can one choose where to go?
The sites are being developed now and will be announced at the end of May. Placement is based on many factors, including the location and needs of particular campaigns. We can consider individual preferences for geographic placement, be we cannot make any guarantees. Applicants must be flexible.

How is Union Summer different from the AFL-CIO Organizing Institute program?
The Organizing Institute (OI) runs a paid training program for people who want to become full-time union organizers. Those interested in going through the OI program must be ready to move into a full-time position. Union Summer is a 10-week internship. Union Summer is a program for people who think they want to work for social justice but want to experience the work firsthand. Ideally, interns will remain active after Union Summer by forming student labor action coalitions, teaching others about unions, or eventually becoming a union organizer or contributing in some other way to the union movement.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Write to Union Summer, 815 16th St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006; fax: 202-639-6230; phone: 888-835-8557 or e-mail: unionsummer@aflcio.org.