The past two weeks have been a great learning experience for all of us at the Union Summer Program in New York.

Last week we worked at collecting the district zip codes of State Senate and Assembly members. It was more difficult than we expected but we prevailed, resulting in a feeling of gratification at the end of the three-day process. It included phone calls, faxes and tedious Internet searches but overall we were very proud of all our work. Sean, our site coordinator, made sure we were motivated and tried to help as much as possible in the process also. We went to a rally that supported the municipal workers in New York City, which are being faced with the possibility of having cutbacks that would result in layoffs in all areas. These municipal workers include sanitation workers, nurses, teachers, and 911 operators among many others that help run and save this city everyday. We also went to a press conference where Kirstin Gillibrant, Carolyn Maloney, Margaret Chin and Anthony Weiner made speeches about the 9/11 firefighters and police officers that risked their lives to save the people in the World Trade Center after the massive attack that severely wounded our city. These men and women who have since then been sick due to the risks they faced entering those two buildings are being denied health coverage from the government. They vowed to work to have health bills passed for these workers by the nine year anniversary of the attack on New York City and to explain to others why this is an important issue that needs to be addressed.

This week we went to Queens to meet with the IAMAW to learn about house calls. We had training where we learned how to speak to the workers who we would be trying to have join the union. The more workers are in a union, the stronger the union is that can then use their power to help protect workers and their rights. Unions are an important part of the structure of a workplace because it allows for workers to voice their opinions about issues without risking being fired. It was a little frustrating that some people no longer worked for the company or no longer lived at that address, but it was a reality we had to face in order to learn about the process. Wednesday was a busy day where we went to another press conference, this time about Walmart trying to put a store in Brooklyn. People from all different unions, including the UFCW and RWDSU, came out to show their support to keep New York City free of Walmart’s business. Fighting such a large company is a difficult task and it was inspiring to know that there was so much support. We then went to Pathmark to help leaflet about the possible strike that might take place in Pathmark, Stop and Shop, and King Kullen. Negotiations over the workers wages and benefits have not been going well so the result has been the possibility of a strike starting Saturday June 26th. Finally we went to an informational picket with the American Postal Workers Union that supported the workers fighting to work on Saturdays. Less days worked means less days of pay and more layoffs that would result in overworking of the remaining postal workers. Thursday, there was training on Political Action Organizing, where we learned about the proper way to speak to someone in a debate in order to get your opinion across and how to work with political leaders to lobby the issues from your union. On Friday we leafleted in Nassau, Queens and Brooklyn about the Pathmark negotiations again. We met all types of people while doing it and found it encouraging that so many people were supportive of the cause. It felt good to know that others were for unions and were willing to do what was necessary to fight for their rights. As for next week, it sounds like it’s packed with just as many events and activities. This internship has been so rewarding already, it is only sure to get better.