The ACTU Organising Centre along with six NSW unions & the Labor Council is
piloting a program called Union Summer in February. This provides students &
young activists with the opportunity to spend 3 weeks interning in a union,
working on organising campaigns. Interns work alongside experienced
organisers, get paid a stipend and receive formal training. The program runs
from 29 January-16 February and applications close 8 December.
Do you know any students or social justice activists who might be
interested? We are not advertising this widely as there are limited places
but if you know of particularly talented, committed types then please pass
it on to them. More info and application form below.
Thanks,
Nadine
Nadine Flood Level 7, Labour Council Building
National Organiser/Educator 377-383 Sussex Street Sydney NSW 2000
ACTU Organising Centre Phone 02 9264 9744 Mob 0407 731 330
[EMAIL PROTECTED] Fax 02 9283 4132
Union Summer
Union Summer gives people interested in social justice the opportunity to do
an educational internship, working in trade unions with organisers and union
activists.
Union Summer aims to encourage participants to become activists in their
workplaces or universities, to identify potential union organisers and
support workers organising campaigns in strategic sites and industries.
What is the internship?
Union Summer interns will be 'matched up' with one of six unions
participating in the program and spend three weeks working with a skilled,
experienced organiser on a strategic campaign. The program runs full-time in
Sydney from 30 January-16 February 2001. All interns will come together
during the program for formal training on campaigning and organising in a
union context. Interns receive a $200 per week stipend plus your travel
expenses going out to workplaces. Hours may be variable in some unions,
depending on what industry you are organising. It will be interesting,
rewarding and hard work.
This is a pilot program with 6 NSW unions and the Labor Council of NSW
participating- limited places are available so apply soon if you're keen.
We're looking for pro-union people who are committed to equity and justice
and can work with a diverse bunch of people.
Applications close 8 December.
What would you be doing?
Interns in each union would work with organisers in current campaigns.
Potential activities include-
- surveying workers, visiting workplaces and talking to workers about their
concerns
- working with union delegates and workplace activists
- supporting workers in collective activity such as rallies and protests
- employer research and workforce analysis in potential sites for organising
Where did Union Summer come from?
In 1996 American unions first ran a Union Summer, asking students and
community activists to help out in organising workplaces. It was a great
success, helping organising campaigns and producing skilled and committed
activists. Union Summer also helped kickstart the anti-sweatshop movement in
American universities. The program has grown since with up to 40 groups of
interns working on union campaigns each year.
Who are we?
The ACTU Organising Centre is a division of the Australian Council of Trade
Unions. We work with unions on organising campaigns for areas with low union
membership, supporting working people in building power in their workplaces
and developing strategies for dealing with a hostile environment.
We are hoping this pilot program in NSW will pave the way for the Organising
Centre to run a Union Summer with unions in a number of states in summer
2001.
How to apply
Fill in the application form attached and send it to 'Union Summer', ACTU
Organising Centre, Level 7, 377-383 Susses Street, SYDNEY NSW 2000. You'll
need to be available for an interview in Sydney in the week 11-15 December.
For more information contact Nadine Flood, ACTU Organising Centre on 02 9264
9744 or 0407 731 330. Applications can be e-mailed to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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