Students taught about union careers
Students receive advice about careers in union jobs via Facebook Live.
The pandemic couldn’t stop New York City high school students from learning the benefits of unionized careers, thanks to the first virtual Future in Focus career fair on June 4 on Facebook Live. Sponsored by the UFT’s High Schools Division and the New York City Central Labor Council, the fifth annual event featured eight workers who discussed their professional pathways in various careers that come with the advantage of union representation and union-negotiated benefits.
“Using available technology, we were able to convene a panel of workers who shared their experiences with young people,” said Janella Hinds, the UFT’s vice president for academic high schools and the secretary-treasurer of the Central Labor Council.
Panelist Leah Hosten, a school secretary at PS 398 in Brooklyn and a UFT delegate, advised the students to “advocate for yourself” and pointed out the importance of having “a respectful and open relationship” with coworkers.