Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation, AFT Local 3544

Staff Organizer

Based in Eugene, OR

 

Our Union: the Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation
The Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation (GTFF), AFT Local 3544, is seeking a dedicated and experienced Staff Organizer to support our union of over 1,500 Graduate Employees (GEs) at the University of Oregon (UO) in Eugene, Oregon. The GTFF was founded in 1975 and is the third-oldest graduate employee union in the country. In the 24-25 academic year, our membership rate was at nearly 80% with approximately 25% of members identifying as international GEs. The GTFF has over 10 active identity-based caucuses, and we are proud to have a history of winning concrete legal protections for our members who are transgender, international, and caregivers, to give a few examples. Additionally, since 1993, the GTFF has managed its own health insurance benefits and coverage for GEs through the GTFF Health and Welfare Trust.

The Staff Organizer will report directly to the elected leadership of the GTFF. This position plays a central role in building collective power and advancing the rights and working conditions of graduate employees. The right fit for this position will share the GTFF’s commitment to deep organizing, member education, and leadership development as the main strategies for fostering a militant, active, and democratic rank-and-file union.

Key Duties 
Mentorship & Leadership Development

• Collaborate with elected leaders to develop and implement short, medium, and long-term organizing plans that align with our union’s goals of building mass power and improving members’ quality of life.
• Identify, recruit, and develop rank-and-file members into effective union leaders; facilitate training programs that enhance members’ organizing and union leadership skills.
• Apply equity lenses and an understanding of intersectionality to mentorship and leadership development.
• Promote practices that enhance transparency, democracy, and equity within our union.

Member Organizing

• Build and sustain active participation among rank-and-file members and stewards through issue-based organizing campaigns, trainings, and social events that foster a strong sense of community and solidarity.

Bargaining and Grievance Support

• Provide guidance on contract negotiation strategies and issue-based campaigns
• Provide guidance on grievance handling and serve on the bargaining team and grievance committee where appropriate.

Administrative/Operations

• Collaborate with appropriate elected officers to ensure the maintenance of accurate membership and financial records and communications with our employer, state, and national federation, and ensure the union office is welcoming and functional.
• Identify and address organizational and strategic gaps; recommend and implement solutions to enhance our union’s longevity, capacity, and overall success at improving members’ quality of life.

Necessary Job Qualifications:

• One year of experience as a full-time organizer in union, political, or community contexts.
• Demonstrated success in membership development and grassroots organizing.
• Demonstrated success in developing trainings for member organizers, identifying leaders, and designing leadership pipelines.
• Direct experience with contract negotiations, contract enforcement, and grievance and arbitration handling.
• Experience developing and implementing effective bargaining strategies.
• Strong knowledge of labor relations.
• Demonstrated ability to apply an equity lens to organizing and leadership development.
• Proven success in and enjoyment of working effectively with culturally diverse groups and individuals.
• Enjoys collaborating with local, county, state, and national union representatives and affiliates.
• Ability to work varied hours including some evenings and weekends.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Proficiency with digital tools and software, including Google Suite.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent educational background.

Preferred Job Requirements (Education/Skills/Experience):

• Three or more years of full-time organizing experience, particularly in public employer settings.
• Three or more years of participating in bargaining strategy development with public employers.
• Three or more years of experience in developing trainings for member organizers and designing leadership pipelines.
• Familiarity with issues specific to graduate employees and public higher education.
• Experience with public speaking and motivational speaking.
• Knowledge of issues facing international students in the US, including the student visa process.
• Direct experience managing arbitration and Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) cases.

Physical Requirements in Accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act:

• Ability to work in an office setting and use standard office equipment.
• Capacity to attend in-person meetings, events, and actions on campus and within the Eugene-Springfield area.
• Capacity to attend in-person meetings in the broader Oregon area on occasion (1-2x per year).
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally for event setup and materials handling.
• Accommodations will be provided as necessary to ensure the successful performance of job duties.

Compensation:

• Competitive salary starting at $71,000; salary schedule placement commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance and retirement contributions (401K).
• Generous vacation, sick, and bereavement leave policy.
• Professional development and travel opportunities.
• Opportunity to report directly to a local chapter committed to fostering a democratic and militant grassroots union.
• All full-time staff members employed by the GTFF are represented by the GTFF Staff Union.
• Relocation reimbursement provided in accordance with the GTFF Staff Union CBA.

How to Apply:
To apply, please send the following materials to: treasurer@gtff.net, with the subject line “Staff Organizer Application”:

1. A cover letter of no more than two pages detailing your experience and vision for this role.
2. A current résumé.
3. Contact information for three professional references from the last five years.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with priority given to those received by November 23, 2025.

Join the GTFF in advancing a revitalized, socially just labor movement that advocates for graduate employees and a more democratically run educational system for all!