In memory of lifelong union activist Andrew Casey, Unions NSW co-ordinates a paid placement within the NSW Union Movement for a young activist of Jewish heritage as part of their broader internship program.
The program, which is powered by The Jewish Independent, runs for three weeks providing young activists exposure to the work done by trade unions including organising, campaigning, legal advocacy and more.
About Unions NSW and its affiliates
Unions NSW is the peak union body representing 60 affiliated unions from every sector of the workforce. This equates to over 600 000 affiliated union members who work in a range of industries and occupations. Unions represent the interests and workplace rights of their union members whilst also campaigning for a more just and fair society for all.
Prerequisites and application process
Union Internships are aimed at young people interested in workers’ rights and social justice. It is a good way to find out more about how unions work and how they campaign to make Australia a better place for working people and their families. There are no prerequisites for the Internship, however, experience in union, community, social justice or student activism is desirable.
Important dates and other information
- Applications close 5pm on the 20 November, 2023.
- Applicants that are selected for the next stage of the application process will be requested to participate in a group interview on either the 28 or 29 November, 2023.
- Applicants will be notified by 8 December, 2023 if they are successful.
- The program will run from Monday 29 January 2024 to Friday 16 February 2024 and includes two days of training provided by Unions NSW which will be held at Trades Hall. Successful applicants will be placed in a union and mentored by a union official. All participants will be paid the current minimum wage.
- If you have any problems with this application form or would like to discuss the Internship, please contact Nick Palmer at npalmer@unionsnsw.org.au or (02) 9881 5999.
Applications are now open for the 2024 Union Internship program.
The Internship will run from 29 January 2024 to 16 February 2024. Successful interns are placed with a designated trade union for three weeks and are provided with training and a diverse experience of what it is like to work for a union.
About Andrew Casey
Andrew Casey (1953 – 2018)
Born in Budapest, Hungary, the elder son of Holocaust survivors, Andrew Casey’s family came to Australia as refugees in the 1950s when he was a young boy.
A former journalist and long-time activist in the union movement, Andrew’s dedication to social justice, inspired by his Jewish values, was widely admired. Throughout his life he worked to connect Israelis and Palestinians through trade unions, support refugees and people seeking asylum, protest for land rights for First Nations peoples in Australia and build bridges between Jews, Muslims and Christians in Australia.
His innovative work touched many people and the internship in his name is a way for his efforts to be remembered.
Read more about Andrew’s life and legacy through these links:
- ‘The great bridge-builder’, driven by social justice and Jewish values
- ‘A unionist, a principled person, and thoroughly good and generous’
Tributes to Andrew
- ‘Andrew was a staunch unionist and will be missed by the labour movement’ - Australian Labour Party
- ‘Andrew’s work laid the foundations for the online component of the strong campaigning culture that exists within the Australian union movement’ -ACTU
- ‘Andrew was the kind of unionist we all aspire to be – he lived union values every day, giving his experience, his wisdom and his time to improve the lives of working Australians’ - Sally McManus
- ‘I would like to think that the bullying was the roots of his life-long commitment to the oppressed’ - John Casey
- ‘And indeed Andrew’s friendship and his work has touched us all – as a comrade, friend, cobber,mensch -and his life’s work has been creative, tireless, driven and passionate. - Uri Windt
- ‘Andrew from a very early age developed a lifetime’s interest in Judaism, and a curiosity as to why people believe in certain precepts, and empathising with people who feared and opposed authoritarianism, bullying and intolerance’ - Michael Easson AM
- ‘He already had a fine record as a newspaper journalist before becoming a pioneer of modern union communications’ - President Marcus Strom
FAQ
1Who is the internship aimed at?
The Internship is aimed at young Jewish activists interested in workers’ rights and social justice.
2Are there prerequisites for applying?
There are no prerequisites for the internship, however, experience in union, community, social justice or student activism is desirable.
3What is the Internship timeline?
- 16 October –Applications Open
- 20 November –Applications Close
- 28 November – Group Interviews Day 1
- 29 November – Group Interviews Day 2
- 8 December – Confirm Successful Applications
- 29 January – Start Internship
- 16 February – End Internship
4If I still have questions what should I do?
Please contact Nick Palmer at npalmer@unionsnsw.org.au or (02) 9881 5999 if you have further questions about the Andrew Casey Internship.
Hear from one of our interns
A trade union internship opened DANI SACKS’ eyes to the power of collective bargaining to effect change for individuals in the workplace and beyond.
Dani Sacks -
2023 Andrew Casey Internship recipient
“From the very first day of the internship, I was exposed to the real work of a union.”
