2026 Scholarship Essay Contest
The Pennsylvania AFL-CIO is pleased to announce its 2026 Scholarship Essay Contest.
The Essay Contest provides an opportunity for high school and post-secondary students to learn about the Labor Movement’s important contributions to the social, economic, and political development of our country. It also reminds students – the next generation of workers – about the importance of protecting the Labor Movement’s gains, for their own wellbeing in current and future workplaces.
Awards are offered to students in two categories:
Graduating High School Seniors
(class of 2026)
All Post-Secondary
Students
The award amounts are:
First Place
$2,000
Second Place
$1,500
Third Place
$1,000
The essay topics for each category are as follows:
Category I – Graduating High School Seniors:
Recent issues like inflation, AI, and changing labor laws affect the lives of working families. Choose one of these issues and explain its impact on workers in your community. How can labor unions help them respond to these challenges?
Category II – Students Attending an Accredited, Post-Secondary Institution:
Recent trends such as AI in the workplace, major labor strikes, the rise of gig work, and shifting labor laws are reshaping work in the United States. Analyze one key trend and assess its short- and long-term impacts on the working class. How should labor unions adapt to protect workers’ rights and economic security in this evolving landscape?
If you post this information on your website, please note that the scholarships are only awarded to Pennsylvania AFL-CIO affiliated union members and their immediate family members.
All submissions must be received by email to monica@paaflcio.org by May 29, 2026. Essays will be judged in June 2026, and awards will be made in July 2026.
We thank affiliate unions that have contributed to the award money for the Scholarship Essay Contests, in the past.
If your union affiliate can contribute to the award money, please make your check payable to the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO and mail it to: PA AFL-CIO, Attention: Maurice Cobb, Secretary-Treasurer, 600 North Second St., Harrisburg, PA 17101.
Thank you for your support of the Scholarship Essay Contest, whether it be monetarily, helping to publicize it, or both.