Local 521

INTERNAL WORKSITE ORGANIZER

SAN JOSE AREA

JOB OPENING
WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING?

You will be assigned to work with members in one or more organized jurisdictions in or near San Jose, CA (Silicon Valley). SEIU Local 521 represents clerical, blue collar, professional and service workers in the public and private sector, including healthcare and homecare.

You will be responsible for:
• Identifying, recruiting, training and developing stewards, officers and leaders.
• Leading and assisting in developing plans for worksite campaigns for specific issues including public budget issues, contract negotiations, safety, etc.
• Creating or assisting members in creating communication systems; write and edit leaflets, proposals, newsletters, etc.
• Negotiating or assisting in contract negotiations, from proposals through strike preparation.
• Monitoring stewards and officers in their representational duties, including grievances and disciplinary appeals. Follow through where necessary.
• Meeting timelines and procedures related to labor contracts and union bylaws constitution and policies.
• Encouraging participation in political and lobbying activities. Help members hold elected officials accountable.
• Participating in and learning to lead residual organizing campaigns; recruit members.
• Leading staff members or community based committees; serve as spokesperson.

What you’ll need to do the job:
• Ability to establish rapport with and organize members in widely diversified ethnic, social and economic groups.
• Good judgment and ability to discern priorities when faced with many important tasks.
• Some knowledge of labor rights and contract language and ability to learn these quickly.
• Willingness to work long and irregular hours, often including nights and weekends.
• Ability to communicate well in writing and orally; ability to mobilize membership.
• Ability to maintain work files and comply with administrative reporting.
• Bilingual/biliterate in Spanish, Hmong, Vietnamese, Chinese a plus.

These skills will normally have been developed by working as a full time union staff member in organizing or representational assignments.
We have an emergency need for experienced, skilled negotiators now. However, both experienced and intermediate level staff will be considered. We believe in Affirmative Action. Women, people of color and people with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.

BENEFITS
• Monthly salary range beginning at $4,460.86 (some flexibility depending on experience).
• Employer-paid pension plan.
• Fully paid health insurance.
• Liberal vacation and sick leave.
• Life insurance and vision care.
• Pleasant atmosphere, great co-workers and supervisors.

Out-of-State Candidates: Our Selection Committee is very insistent on interviewing candidates in person. Resumes will be accepted on a continuous basis. Interviews will be scheduled when necessary.

Apply immediately for current openings.
Email, Fax, or mail your cover letter and resume to:

President, Kristina Sermersheim, c/o Karen Summers, HR Generalist at
jobs@seiu521.org
(408) 954-1538
2302 Zanker Rd., San Jose, CA 95131

Local 521 believes in affirmative action. People of color, women and people with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.
 

Hurry, applicants who pass the paper screening process will be called for an interview. The resume filing period may be closed at any time after ten days from the issue date of this brochure if sufficient qualified resumes have been received. Therefore, it is important to submit your application as soon as possible.

BACKGROUND OF SEIU LOCAL 521:
On March 1, 2007, five legacy SEIU locals came together to cover the North Central Region of California by forming one larger, more powerful local – SEIU Local 521. We combined all the resources of the five former locals, and received our charter as a new individual local on January 2, 2007.
This marked a new beginning for workers. We are stronger together. Our local now represents more than 45,600 workers in North Central California. Our membership includes thousands of public service workers in the Central Valley.