Organizers facilitate the process of forming and building strong, worker-led unions. A union organizer educates people about their rights, identifies and develops leadership skills among workers, explains the union organizing process and runs a campaign for union recognition. Their ultimate goal is to help working people build collective power in their workplaces. 
 

This intensive program will begin with a three-day training, where candidates learn and practice basic union organizing skills (transportation to training, housing and meals are provided). Next, training participants will be selected to participate in a 12-week, paid field training with an AFL-CIO affiliate union, where they will learn union-building skills and gain experience on a union organizing campaign firsthand.

Upon successful completion of the AFL-CIO Apprenticeship Program, apprentices are recommended by the Organizing Institute (OI) to be hired by local and national unions of the AFL-CIO. Annual starting salaries, depending on the union, start at $55,000 and come with excellent benefits.

The OI is looking for participants who are ready to immediately jump into a career as a union organizer (within 0–6 weeks of finishing training). We are looking for candidates who are energetic, passionate and committed to building a strong movement for working people in this country. Applicants MUST be willing to RELOCATE to where the work is and/or travel extensively. Applicants must have a valid driver’s license. People of color, women and bilingual applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.

If you are interested in this program, you can apply online. The application process will open soon.

Interviewees will be notified within three weeks of submitting an application. 

Interviewees will be notified within three weeks of interviewing. 

Participants who are selected for the apprenticeship program will be placed in unions based on a matching process. The placement coordinator will match a participant’s skills to the union best-suited for their skills. While an apprentice will ultimately be able to choose between unions if multiple are interested in bringing them on, many variables can still affect placement. The unions seeking apprentices will vary by program cohort, and the campaign placement will be entirely up to the union.

Yes. You will be paid $900 per week and will receive full health care benefits through the AFL-CIO Health and Welfare plan. 

Yes. Your sponsoring union will provide housing and transportation for the duration of the program. 

Sponsoring unions will make every effort to place apprentices under the mentorship of a lead organizer. The OI will match each apprentice with an OI staff member, who will serve as an additional mentor, checking in weekly and conducting on-the-ground evaluations after three and six weeks.

At the conclusion of 12 weeks, sponsoring unions will make permanent job offers. The OI will make every effort to help make connections for apprentices with outstanding evaluations who do not receive job offers. 

Those eligible to work in the US are eligible to apply for the program, with the exception of current union members.

If you are a current union member, please visit the training schedule here to get sponsored by your union to attend our 3-Day Training.

Contact us at [email protected].