Local 221

WORKSITE ORGANIZER

Job Description

Definition

Service Employees International Union, Local 221 (SEIU Local 221) is a progressive union representing over 12,000 San Diego and Imperial County area employees, including County, city, school district, and Head Start workers. With an active member organizing committee, we plan to organize thousands more workers to continue to be the leading political and community voice for working families in San Diego.  This voice comes directly from our members.  We believe that the values and issues of working men and women are integral to any form of social change. 

Under direction of the Director of Internal Field Staff or his/her designee Worksite Organizers will identify and develop rank & file leaders, create action,  and facilitate campaigns to win for workers. Worksite Organizers lead the work of the union with and among members. Worksite Organizers are expected to have a working knowledge of labor agreements in their assigned worksites and uphold those contracts by identifying and activating the grievance process when violations occur. Worksite Organizers negotiate bargaining unit, section, division or departmental agreements through meet and confer processes, labor/management tables, and/or contract negotiations with employers. Engaging in assigned political and lobbying efforts is standard practice and a part of our commitment to win for working people in San Diego.

Typical Tasks

All duties listed are required, but may or may not be continuously performed or on-going at any specific time. This list is not necessarily all-inclusive:

o Have a full understanding of and commitment to the Union's vision and take an active role in the implementation of that vision; 
o Identify, recruit,  train and develop member activists to become leaders in their worksite and in the union;
o Build a  member and worksite organizing committees in assigned turf, through one-on-one meetings, site meetings and issue organizing campaigns;
o Develop internal organizing targets, analyze employer and worker needs, and recommend organizing ideas;
o Write and distribute leaflets/bulletins/notices and other materials among workers and leaders and assist leaders in maintaining a bulletin board network;
o Recruit political activists and volunteers, coordinate precinct activity and participate in the Union's lobbying and political efforts;
o Assist the Advocacy Center Director with grievances, disciplinary appeals and/or Unfair Labor Practices up to and including final level of Civil Service Commission, Personnel Board, arbitration, PERB or NLRB, including investigation, preparation of witnesses and exhibits, and general development of case;
o Confer informally with workers and management relative to work rules, regulations and conditions, employee relations policies and programs, contract provisions and related matters;
o Interpret collective bargaining agreements, ordinances and laws to members, leaders and other workers;
o Analyze employee relations problems and recommend solutions to workers, leaders and Union and management officials;
o Conduct surveys, investigations and related activities to aid in development of organizing campaigns, union policies, bargaining positions;
o Develop and maintain leader system or chapter committees, or internal organizing committee, including training, guidance, oversight and accountability of and support of leaders in performance of their duties;
o Produce and report results and be accountable to meeting the needs of the local and/or campaign ie. Membership goals, COPE goals, turnout goals
o Recruit leaders and members to participate in the Local's COPE campaigns;
o Act as chief negotiator or as advisor to chief negotiator in collective bargaining for assigned representation units and/or jurisdictions. Evaluate need, initiate request and recommendation to appropriate supervisor for initiation of third party neutral proceedings;

Skills and Qualifications
o High level ability to communicate orally and in writing;
o Ability to plan and coordinate campaign and contract activities;
o Analytical skills directed towards investigations, planning, preparation and processing of quasi-judicial hearings and/or preparation and negotiations of contract agreement documents;
o Ability to establish and maintain rapport with widely varied ethnic, occupational and social groups;
o Ability to work within timelines under pressure and minimal supervision;
o Ability to deal with obstacles to the work by attempting to solve problems and learn from each experience;
o Ability to multi-task
o Dedication to improving the lives of workers and a willingness to participate in a wide field of activities toward that objective.
o Experience interpreting and enforcing collective bargaining agreements
o Experience managing Employer relationship, particularly in public sector
o Negotiations experience preferred

Compensation

SEIU Local 221 offers a competitive salary based on staff union contract provisions. Benefits include a car allowance, health care, dental, prescription, vision, and retirement plans, and vacation/time off policy.

Submission Instructions:

Submit cover letter and resume to Jacob Proud via email, or mail to:

Jacob Proud
4004 Kearny Mesa Rd
San Diego, CA 92111

Email:  employment@seiu221.org

Local 221 is an affirmative action employer and encourages applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, ethnicity, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, religion, or disability.