IEU Union Summer internship: Caleb Hayhoe-Castle and Lorelai Dubrovski
Union Summer is a paid internship run by Victorian Trades Hall Council and delivered in partnership with the Young Workers Centre, in which young people get first-hand experience of working with unions – like the IEU.
The internships have a long history of uncovering talented, motivated up-and-comers who go on to play a big role in their unions. The three-week program promises participants that they will “gain hands-on skills, learn about organising, bargaining, the role of unions and advocacy while working on a real campaign…” It’s fair to say the IEU delivered on that pledge this year. Caleb and Lorelai were thrown into the fray in the IEU office in the midst of the SIA campaign, and their work was much appreciated.
Why did you apply for the Union Summer campaign, and how has the internship changed your view of union work?
Lorelai: I’ve wanted to participate in Union Summer or Winter for about a decade, but something always prevented me from applying until this year. I’m thrilled to finally achieve this goal, especially now that I have experience in a Catholic school as a student social worker, giving me perspective on both sides of the spectrum. From the second I heard about it, I just thought it sounded like such a great and interesting thing to do, something that aligns closely with my values and goals. Having been a long-term union member and volunteer in the unemployed workers space, it’s also been a privilege to experience another union and participate in their much-needed advocacy. If I wasn’t a unionist before, I sure am now.
Caleb: I’ve been a delegate with my own union for a few years now and wanted the opportunity to learn from other unions and the way they worked. Being an intern has reinforced my belief that the work of unions and the union movement is some of the most important and rewarding work that’s out there.
What most surprised you about working in a union office?
Lorelai: How relaxed and welcoming everyone was, even though we came at a busy time with a lot going on. We were still checked in on regularly and given relevant, interesting and genuinely helpful tasks, like sitting in on a commission hearing and reviewing member survey data. Everyone was kind and appreciative of what we did, even wanting to include us more than we already were where possible. Not all workplaces are so inclusive of interns, and I’m glad to have experienced the culture here.
What was the most interesting or rewarding aspect of your work during the program?
Lorelai: Reviewing documents such as the Tasmanian Catholic Education Single Enterprise Agreement 2024 and learning what unions do in the education sector was very rewarding. I also appreciated seeing the tangible impact of the work while exploring ways to improve it, as well as speaking to employees and learning about their journeys into union work and what their roles involve.
What do you see as the main challenge and the main benefit of the Union Summer program, and would you recommend it to others?
Lorelai: I would absolutely recommend Union Summer or Winter to others, whether experienced union workers or newcomers eager to learn. The main challenge for me was getting up to speed. The benefits included experiencing something new, deepening my interest in unionism, meeting like-minded people and being reminded of the importance of unions.
Caleb: There’s a lot to learn in a short time with Union Summer, but the teams at the Young Workers Centre and the IEU have both been incredibly welcoming and accommodating, so there’s no need to be intimidated. I would absolutely recommend Union Summer to any young worker interested in the work of unions both within and beyond the workplace. If it wasn’t already assured, I’ll definitely be a member and activist for life.