SEIU Local 503
In It Together

Union Organizer, Public Sector

Based in Portland, Salem, Pendleton, OR Office(s)

 

SEIU 503 is an organization of more than 72,000 Oregonians who, by joining together, are achieving what we cannot accomplish alone. By standing together, we have a voice in our contracts and our daily work lives.  SEIU 503 members do more than 500 different jobs on the state, local government, and non-profit level. The services we provide include helping blind people get access to education, assisting nursing home patients, testing new drivers, collecting tax revenue, providing childcare, helping veterans, assisting at-risk youth, staffing our state universities, repairing bridges, maintaining Oregon’s parks, and caring for seniors and people with disabilities.

The work we do touches the lives of every single Oregonian. We are proud to stand together for the quality services we provide for our communities and families.

Be part of SEIU Local 503, a strong and growing union that is on the front lines to fight for quality public services and a more just society for all workers.  

General Description:
With shared vision and purpose, we will drive organizational change and effectiveness through a focus on staff and team development, accountability, and equity and inclusion.

The principal role of field organizers is to support and facilitate member leadership and action. Program responsibility for organizing, communications, contract administration, union administration, bargaining, political action, rank-and-file leadership development and interaction with the membership to further established union policy.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

• Organizing (internal and external); political action; training and education; assist leaders/officers in the performance of their responsibilities.
• Preparation for and negotiation of collective bargaining agreements; ratification of contracts; including work action preparation and recruitment.
• Contract interpretation; grievance handling and preparation and presentation of arbitration cases; setting up communication systems (personal and telephone) for distribution of information and materials for organizing, bargaining, contract enforcement, and political action.
• Advise members on the steps to be taken to resolve issues. Organize members to take action around such issues where appropriate.
• Preparing printed materials for distribution to the membership (leaflets, newsletters, etc.); training members to interface with the media (newspapers, television & radio).
• Internal and external organizing training, Union Steward training, leadership training and development, political action training, negotiations training, special workshops (retirement, Workers' Comp, health & safety, discrimination, etc.), and coordination of officer/leadership duties.
• Political action: door-to-door canvassing, phone banks, issue campaigns, candidate campaigns, informing the membership on the issues and candidates, targeting candidates, targeting precincts for candidate races, voter registration, questionnaires and surveys on candidates and issues; get-out-the-vote drives.

Qualifications:

• Experience or background which demonstrates capabilities in organizing, bargaining, contract administration, political action, leadership identification and development, and motivating people to take action.
• A demonstrated commitment to empowering workers through the labor movement
• Experience working for social justice as an organizer or activist
• Ability and stamina to work irregular and long hours and to attend weekend and evening activities
• Excellent communications skills required.
• Valid driver's license and current insurance coverage.

Working Environment:

☐ Group 1 - Requires performing instant or sustained arduous physical activity
☒ Group 2 - Requires occasional lifting and exertion for short periods
☐ Group 3 - Very Limited Physical Exertion

Office and field work involving travel to all areas of the state - sometimes with overnight stays - in a variety of environmental conditions. The workweek is Monday through Friday plus weekend work when specifically assigned. The workday may begin before and extend beyond normal office hours depending on the demands of the assignment.

Equipment, Tools, or Machines:

• Operation of a personal motor vehicle (insured)
• Tools
• Telephone
• Copier
• Camera and/or Video camera and system
• Computer Software: (Word, Excel, PageMaker, FileMaker Pro, etc.)

To Apply:
Send cover letter and résumé to Arturo Rodriguez Flores, Recruitment Strategist, rodriguezfloresa@seiu503.org.