CU-Boulder students interested in learning about the AFL-CIO and who want to develop skills for union organization and campaign drives can sign up at CU-Boulder for a four-week educational internship to be held this summer in various locations around the country.
Program recruiter Fernando Bribiezca is at CU-Boulder to talk to students and discuss workplace inequality. He will make presentations based on his own experiences and will be on campus until Feb. 3.
According to Bribiezca, one motivation for the AFL-CIO聮s Union Summer program is to educate people about the increasing economic gap between the rich and the poor. Union officials claim the United States has reached Depression-era levels of income inequality and that "for the first time, a generation of Americans face a lower standard of living than their parents."
Bribiezca said CU-Boulder students are very aware of social and economic issues and he expects many will take part in the program.
"Students here are more active than students in other universities," he said. "More students are members of organizations, but more importantly, they are active members."
Participants will gain hands-on experience during the four-week paid internship in which they may be asked to organize picket lines, build coalitions or even visit workers at home and ask about changes they would like to see. Training sites are being developed and will be announced in May.
Training will be conducted in English and Spanish, said Bribiezca. Participants will receive a stipend of $210 per week to help cover meals and other expenses.
Bribiezca emphasized the value of the program聮s experience, especially to graduating seniors and those hoping for a career in union organization.
Bribiezca said placement in places such as New York, Los Angeles and Chicago is almost guaranteed.
For more information or for an application call 1-800-952-2550 or visit the website at . Union Summer was launched in 1996.