The Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies (Bridges Center) will be hiring two undergraduate Research Assistant Interns to work with the Bridges Center’s research team and (MLK Labor’s) People’s Organizing Center (POC). This internship will focus on applied research projects supporting union members and all workers. 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and we encourage interested applicants to apply as soon as possible. The internship will start the first week of winter quarter. We have two positions available, and we will remove this posting when those positions are no longer open. 

ABOUT US: 

MLK Labor is the central body of labor organizations in King County, Washington. We are affiliated with the National AFL-CIO, the central labor organization in the United States, representing more than 13 million working people. Founded in 1888 as the West Central Labor Union (WCLU), MLK Labor has organized workers and fought for improvements to the lives of working people for over 130 years. The People’s Organizing Center housed at MLK Labor, was born out of an exceptional partnership among Seattle-area local unions, the King County Central Labor Council, international unions, and the AFL-CIO national union federation to advance new external organizing strategies that can be replicated in other regions. The Center’s work is guided by strategic organizing goals and a commitment to racial equity, gender equity, and climate justice. 

The Bridges Center supports the University of Washington, and people throughout the state, in the study of labor in all of its facets. We are one of two academic labor centers in Washington State, and the only Washington academic labor center with an applied labor research team. Through education and research, our mission is to develop labor studies - broadly conceived to include working people everywhere - as a central concern in higher education and beyond. We cultivate connections with labor communities locally and around the world and inform policymakers about issues confronting workers.

DURATION: 

This internship will begin the first week of winter quarter and will conclude after finals week. There is a possibility that the internship can extend through spring quarter 2027. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

This internship will consist of providing research support for unions and/or worker organizations, with the goal of supporting worker-driven goals. 

• Attend weekly meeting(s) and work-related events 
• Communicate proactively regarding research project(s)
• Analyze varied resources and documents for data and provide written analysis, including briefs and reports, related to research projects 
• Support research projects that have multiple objectives, independently and collaboratively 
• Develop and execute a plan to complete collaborative and independent work related to the research project(s) 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Interest in the labor movement and workers’ rights. 
• A desire to work collaboratively with a research team and receive feedback on projects. 
• Organized, thorough, and detailed in the research process. 
• Ability to prioritize tasks and to work independently. 
• Knowledge of and some proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, and internet research. 
• Ability to keep a predictable schedule and to attend weekly in-person and/or virtual meetings. 
• Be open to some flexibility with hours to accommodate workers’ schedules and campaign needs. 
• Availability to work up to 15 hours per week during the winter quarter. 

SUPERVISION AND JOB LOCATION: 

The research assistant interns will report to a POC contact and the Bridges Center’s research director. For day-to-day support on ongoing projects, the Research Assistant interns will consult with the Bridges Center’s lead researcher. Interns can work out of the Bridges Center, and occasionally will be required to go on-site to the Seattle Labor Temple and other union facilities. There will be regular in-person obligations with these positions. Some remote work is allowed. This position is open to students from all three campuses, though students must attend in-person meetings in Seattle. 

PAY & SCHEDULE: 

Pay is $25 per hour, and successful candidates will be available for up to 15 hours per week, at least part of which will be during traditional business hours (9 a.m. - 5 p.m.). Interns should plan for 10-12 hours to be dedicated to research support and the remainder to be allocated for meetings and events, including labor or union actions. Reasonable flexibility to accommodate class schedules and regular academic breaks will be provided. Evening and weekend hours may be necessary. Preference will be given to applicants who will be available for both winter and spring quarters. 

Interns will be union members as undergraduate Academic Student Employees (ASEs) and be represented by UAW 4121.  

POSSIBLE CREDITS: 

Students interested in earning credit for this internship can sign up for 1-4 credits in LABOR 499 for fall quarter. Credits will be determined between the student and instructor and assigned based on the scope of the student’s research project and interests. Rachel Erstad will be your course instructor. 

HOW TO APPLY: 

Please contact Bridges Center Research Director, Rachel Erstad at rerstad@uw.edu with a short statement regarding your interest in the position - this can be in a separate document, or in the body of the email, and your resume or C.V. Please highlight any type of research you have done to date and any connections, interest, or work in the labor movement. Prior research experience is not a requirement. When applying, please note if you are eligible for Work Study. However, please note that Work Study eligibility is not a requirement for these positions. 

QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS POSITION? 

For questions regarding the Undergraduate Research Assistant Internship, contact Rachel Erstad at rerstad@uw.edu.