Workers United-SEIU

Internal / External Organizer

Based in New York, NY

 

Workers United-SEIU seeks an Internal/External Organizer to join our team in New York City. We are looking for a hardworking, driven, talented individual who is committed to winning campaigns for working people and is ready to immediately get to work with the Workers United Organizing Team. We are hiring for a hybrid position and looking for someone with experience in both new organizing and contract enforcement, someone committed to helping workers organize and build power in both contexts. 

WHO WE ARE: Workers United - SEIU represents approximately 86,000 workers across the US and Canada. Our membership is diverse, and includes garment workers, food service workers, distribution center workers, and industrial laundry workers. We are also leading dynamic campaigns organizing young workers in new industries. We are the union for Starbucks workers and for the more than 1,200 workers at 31 rock-climbing gyms across the country who have joined our Climbing Workers United campaign.

Workers United has a deeply rooted history representing garment workers. We are the former International Ladies Garment Workers’ Union, which was created in 1900 to fight sweatshops and win decent working conditions in the garment industry. The ILGWU was one the first U.S. unions to have a primarily female and immigrant membership. We’re also the former Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union (ACTWU), which fought racist factory owners and won historic organizing victories in Southern textile mills.

Today we still hold close our founding values from over 100 years ago: every industry is organizable, and every worker deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. These are the same values shared by our parent union, the Service Employee International Union, with more than two million members in the United States and Canada and a leader in the fight for social justice.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Under the direction of the Workers United Organizing Director and Deputy Organizing Director, supports workers in new organizing and first contracts fights in New York City.
• Addresses workplace issues raised by members. Works with the member and steward to clearly identify a given issue, recommend and facilitate a path to a solution. Determines whether the issue rises to the level of a grievance.
• Handles members’ grievances, from initiation through resolution. Understands the contract, including what constitutes a grievance, time limits, and processes of grievance handling. 
• Works with member leaders to mobilize members to participate in contract, organizing and social justice campaigns
• Identifies and recruits individual members who can take on leadership roles including union stewards, and work with member leaders to develop their skills
• Develops and maintains relationships with employers to effectively represent members and enforce the union contract
• Effectively negotiates the resolution of grievances and workplace problems with management. 
• Conducts Labor Management meetings. 
• Assists in the direction and development and training of volunteer member organizers and Organizing Committee members.
• Ensures the tracking, reporting and analysis on all campaigns in their purview.
• Works with allied organizations and communities in the fight for better conditions in the industries Workers United organizes and represents.
• Works along with campaign staff to carry out duties as needed. 

Qualifications:

• At least one year of experience in union organizing/representation, including experience filing grievances, representing members in grievance meetings and Weingarten meetings, organizing worksite actions and mobilizing members in the worksite
• Excellent interpersonal skills as demonstrated by the ability to relate, establish, and cultivate respectful relationships with people from diverse backgrounds
• Excellent communication skills and ability to develop varied communications tools as part of organizing campaigns and 
• Skilled at managing multiple projects, meeting varied deadlines, and being flexible with changing priorities
• Effective demonstrable oral, written and listening skills in English
• Preference for candidates who speak Spanish, but this is not a requirement
• Experienced in receiving and offering feedback openly and constructively 
• Effective facilitation and meeting management skills
• Experience organizing independently and as part of a team
• Working knowledge of computer programs including social media, Word, Excel, and good planning and administrative skills

REQUIREMENTS: Must possess a valid driver’s license with a good driving record.

LOCATION: New York, NY

SALARY AND BENEFITS: Salary for this position is $70,000. We offer a generous benefits package including fully employer-paid health, dental, and optical insurance. 

TO APPLY: 
E-mail a cover letter and detailed résumé and the names, addresses, and phone numbers of three (3) references to jobs@workers-united.org. Please include “NYC Organizer” in the subject line of your email. 

This position is open until filled; however, the posting/acceptance of applications may close at any time.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER
Workers United - SEIU is an affirmative action employer and encourages applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, ethnicity, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, or disability. We work to ensure fair treatment of applicants and employees and actively enforce policies against discrimination and sexual harassment.