Standing Up and Speaking Out in Madison
Take an AFSCME Union Break, Change the World
From Cairo to Madison to Occupy Wall Street, the world’s 99% are pulling together to face our challenges and build a better future.
Looking for a way to make a difference and build real power? Want to do something meaningful with your life, not just get a job to pay off your student loans? AFSCME’s Union Break program might be for you.
Travel to an active union organizing campaign to learn the basics of union organizing in the classroom and get hands on experience while talking with workers in their homes. Program participants will be provided with lodging and transportation during the break as well as a small stipend for food. Transportation to the program is the responsibility of the participant.
Candidates who successfully complete AFSCME's Alternative Break program will be given priority consideration for AFSCME's year-long Organizer-in-Training positions (starting pay is $38,879 and excellent benefits are included).
A typical day might include learning about local labor history, talking with workers about improving their working conditions, and participating in campaign strategy sessions. All participants will learn the AFSCME organizing model, which links grassroots organizing with a rigorous analysis of the power relationships that influence workers' lives.
During past AFSCME Alternative Union Breaks participants have:
- Knocked on over 3000 doors;
- Talked to thousands of workers including child care providers, state workers, mental health workers, and home care providers;
- Learned about AFSCME efforts to organize workers and students on college campuses throughout the country;
- Supported the lobbying efforts of members in Kansas, Maryland, and Delaware.
- Featured presentations by social justice activists Young Workers United, photojournalist David Bacon, and Patrice O'Neill, Executive Producer, The Working Group, Missouri Jobs With Justice, and many other allied organizations.
March 10-15 and March 24-29
Locations TBD
Open to those who are considering a career in union organizing.
The 1.6 million members of AFSCME (The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees) provide the vital services that make America happen. With members in hundreds of different occupations — from nurses to school bus drivers, child care providers to sanitation workers — AFSCME advocates for fairness in the workplace, excellence in public services and prosperity and opportunity for all working families.
To learn more about AFSCME, visit our website at AFSCME.org.
Space is limited, so apply early to be considered for one of our Alternative Union Break sessions.
If you have questions about AFSCME's Alternative Break programs,
please contact:
at 513-910-0998
