AFL-CIO, Washington, DC
This summer my internship took place at the AFL-CIO in Washington, DC. I was assigned to work in their Policy Department. My primary project entailed researching for the organization’s Future of Work Commission and writing a report on my findings. This commission planned to meet several times over the next year bringing in experts on both automation and several aspects of unions from demographics to different working environments. My specific project was to read the reports of various experts in the future of artificial intelligence and discern the specific number of jobs that would be lost and gained due to automation in the workplace. From the accumulated information, I was to write a report listing the predicted occupational and sectorial losses and gains and explain the reasoning behind why these specific jobs were at risk or were expected to experience growth. The intent for this report was to inform union presidents at one of the commission meetings and have the report used as a tool to help decide how to retrain or educate workers with a high risk of unemployment. From this information and the rest of the experts presenting, the commission hoped to figure out how to work with the government or improve their organization to ensure that as many Americans as possible retained employment with the inevitable change in workplace demands.
After the conclusion of my main project, my other significant project was researching potential use of wearables in the workplace (i.e., benefits and disadvantages of wearables for both companies and workers) and how the future use of blockchain could be used in grassroots organizing and institutions like the AFL-CIO. Both these technologies are relatively new and therefore could be either beneficial or detrimental to the privacy or rights of workers. Regarding wearables, some sources suggest that they could help encourage many workers to live healthier lifestyles, but other large corporations such as Amazon have used them to increase productivity and incentivize workers to work more extended hours without breaks due to a risk of job loss if their wearables show they aren’t working fast or hard enough. Obviously in the second scenario, unions would feel the need to intervene on the workers’ behalf to ensure that workers still receive breaks and appropriate compensation. My research on blockchain was to see if/how unions or organizations similar to the AFL-CIO could utilize the technology productively. Because of the ability for anyone to use blockchain and the middleman in many transactions becomes irrelevant, many sources believed that unions would become unnecessary while others felt that through the proper use of unions harnessing blockchain’s power that working conditions and benefits would improve for workers. Another aspect of blockchain I examined was how blockchain would create transparency in the global supply chain. For example, blockchain could allow a consumer to ensure products are fair-trade or to track a foodborne illness back to the farm from which the product originated. Throughout the completion of these two more extensive projects, I received several smaller projects that included helping provide research for articles, presentations, and Senate hearings. Also, I was lucky enough to get to attend one Senate hearing at which one of my supervisors testified.
The opportunity to work at the AFL-CIO and learn about both the organization’s goals and the people who work tirelessly to achieve them was incredible. I was humbled by the fervor and intense desire of everyone who worked there to make sure so many underrepresented Americans received fair pay and standard working conditions. Many times, I witnessed signs being passed out to carry for marches or groups of individuals returning from a morning of protesting for the rights of others. It was so much more than just a job to every person at the AFL-CIO. It was extraordinary to be a part of an organization who, while the current administration created turmoil with tariffs in the workplace, kept the well-being of American workers and their future at the forefront of their minds.
I began to see where my work this summer had an effect when I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the July session of the Future of Work Commission meeting. Witnessing the president of the AFL-CIO, field experts, and the presidents of most, if not all, unions, was eye-opening to the other side of politics that is often left out from mainstream media. This specific meeting centered on the background and current state of the economy. Speakers, some from unions such as AFT or SAG-AFTRA, gave short five to fifteen-minute presentations about employment, hedge funds, tariffs, and the keynote speaker came from Paris to compare the current state of American labor unions to those in Europe. Following each presentation, there was time for questions and discussion amongst both leaders in the AFL-CIO and union presidents. The following deliberations showed the in-depth consideration and concern that everyone in the meeting had for the future of American workers and the steps they could take to ensure job and wage retention despite the increasing use of automation in all fields of work. It restored my hope for the future of our country seeing even just a few people who were fighting for the rights of those who lack a voice in our current state of government.
Although my summer mostly centered on researching broad ideas for the institution, I learned so much about topics I never considered in-depth before. Blockchain, wearables, and automation were only ideas I heard others mention casually, but now I feel that I have a more in-depth knowledge and appreciation for the intricacies and practical uses of these technologies that I have yet to be exposed to as an Economics and Art History double major. I also learned much more about labor, government, and politics than I could have from the classroom. In this environment, I felt more informed about what was going on in both the United States and the world than I ever have before. So, I cannot thank those at the AFL-CIO enough for their patience and trust in me throughout my summer.
The AFL-CIO only allows interns to work for them if they are given school credit or receive an outside grant or funding and so I would like to thank the Alumni Sponsored Internship Program and specifically the Class of 1951. Without your generosity, I could not have had the experience I was offered this summer whose learning and lessons I will always carry with me. I would also like to thank those working in the ’68 Center for Career Exploration for their tireless work ensuring that the students of Williams can afford and partake in internships across so many fields. I would especially like to recognize Dawn Dellea who was ready to help or answer questions at any moment from the beginning of the application process to the end, making sure the students understood the terms and financial obligations. I am especially grateful for the opportunities I was granted through the altruism and kindness of so many in the Williams Community. I am so appreciative of the opportunity to be able to represent both Williams and the Alumni Sponsored Internship Program during the summer of 2018.
Megamenu Social