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The United Mine Workers of America has a long tradition of aggressive leadership in the struggle for workers' rights. The UMWA is responsible for creating a significant portion of existing labor law, both through litigation and legislation. The UMWA takes credit for implementation of the 8-hour day in 1898, collective bargaining rights in 1933, health and retirement benefits in 1946 and mine safety and health protections in 1969. While the core membership has long been coal miners throughout the United States and Canada, membership is growing in other industries, including clean coal technologies, health care and the public sector. The Legal Department consists of four attorneys, as well as legal interns in the Headquarters Office. Legal work regularly includes organizing, negotiations, contract enforcement, plant closings, safety and health law, and internal union affairs. In addition to providing legal advice, the attorneys engage in a large quantity of litigation in state and federal courts, as well as before administrative agencies. The Peggy Browning Fund intern will gain research and writing experience working hand-in-hand with staff attorneys and one or two other law clerk/interns to support the UMWA and its membership. Interns rotate so that they can work with all of the staff lawyers to learn different areas and to experience diverse styles of lawyering. The Peggy Browning Fund Intern will have significant responsibility. Experienced UMWA lawyers are always available to provide guidance and supervision, when needed. Aside from the more traditional legal work, recent interns have had the opportunity to attend the International's Executive Board meeting, participate in contract negotiations, observe depositions and federal court hearings in cases in which the intern helped with the related brief, assist with a rally of miners on Capitol Hill, help with a Congressional hearing, and meet with the Union President and a high-level representative of the U.S. Department of Labor. The UMWA relies on its legal staff to further the Union's mission as a progressive force for change. The Peggy Browning Fund Intern will be given great legal experience and exposure to a variety of subjects and tasks. Like staff lawyers, the legal interns have been very satisfied with their work experience at the UMWA and the Union is committed to continuing this tradition. In fact, the UMWA was highlighted in America's Greatest Places To Work With A Law Degree. For more information about the United Mine Workers of America, visit their web site at: http://www.umwa.org Students interested in applying to the United Mine Workers of America for a Peggy Browning Fund internship should submit an application package to:
Judith Rivlin, Esq.
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