New England Health Care Employees Union
District 1199 SEIU

Health Care Union Membership Organizer

Covering Connecticut

About Us:
District 1199 SEIU is a bold, democratic Union with a long activist tradition. In his remarks at 1199’s Salute to Freedom in 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr stated “Local 1199 represents the authentic conscience of the labor movement.” Over the past 25 years, we have used strategic campaigns and direct action to form unions, win significant victories for employees, and demand improvements for sick, elderly, and needy patients in nursing homes, state direct care and mental health facilities, hospitals, and other health care centers. In recent years, we’ve won a $15/hour standard for thousands of low-wage workers through militant direct-action campaigns, fought racism on the job, campaigned for progressive policy in the state legislature, and engaged in the community around a variety of social justice issues.

The majority of our members and staff are women, people of color, and/or immigrants. A key guiding principle of our Union is to facilitate and stimulate the broadest possible rank and file participation in the formulation and execution of the program of the Union. Holding with these principles, 1199 organizers work to activate and develop a diverse body of leaders to use their collective power to demand respect and improve conditions in the workplace.

In these challenging times, when so much wealth and power is concentrated in the hands of so few, we believe it is more important than ever to unite health care workers and the working class as a whole together with the broader political and social justice movement to achieve respect and dignity, economic and racial equality on the job and in our communities.

Responsibilities Include:

• Train members to tackle problems, serve as advocates, stand up against bad management decisions and become effective leaders in the workplace
• Meet with workers at the worksite, on the phone and through house visits
• Recruit volunteers to participate in political, legislative and issue campaigns
• Organize membership meetings and events; oversee grievance procedures
• Lead actions, rallies, contract negotiations and strikes

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated leadership and organizing skills at work, on campus or in the community. Experience as a Union or community organizer preferred; health care experience is a plus
• Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. Bilingual skills in Spanish, Creole/French or Portuguese is a plus
• Ability to work independently, solve problems and manage time and priorities
• Willingness to work long hours, including nights and weekends
• Good listening, speaking and writing communication skills
• Automobile and valid driver’s license

Salary & Benefits:

• Competitive salary depends on experience. This job includes a generous benefits package including pension and health insurance

To Apply:
Send cover letter and résumé to:

Katie Bordonaro
77 Huyshope Avenue, Hartford CT 06106
Email: kbordonaro@seiu1199ne.org
Fax: 860-251-6049