About the organization:

In these challenging times, when so much wealth and power is concentrated in the hands of so few, it is more important than ever to unite working people with the broader political and social justice movement to achieve respect and dignity, economic and racial equality on the job and in our communities.

District 1199 SEIU is a bold, democratic Union with a long activist tradition. In his remarks at 1199’s Salute to Freedom in 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr stated “Local 1199 represents the authentic conscience of the labor movement.” In recent years, we’ve won a $15/hour standard for thousands of low-wage workers through militant direct-action campaigns, fought racism on the job, campaigned for progressive policy in the state legislature, and engaged in the community around a variety of social justice issues.

About the position

As an Organizer, you will be assigned to labor organizing campaigns, trained on the fundamentals of union organizing and will have the opportunity to learn the skills needed to help workers build power in the workplace. The responsibility of the Organizer includes leadership identification, recruiting, organizing, and mobilizing workers to participate in the movement to improve the lives of working people, our patients/consumers, and our communities and to build a more just and humane society.

Location

Connecticut, must be able to commute to Hartford.

Travel

This position will require frequent travel around Connecticut.

Reports to

New Organizing Director

Supervises

N/A

Job Responsibilities

• Conduct broad and intensive outreach efforts to non-union workers;  
• Build one-on-one relationships with workers;
• Identify, recruit and develop worker leaders;
• Conduct individual and group meetings with workers to move organizing campaigns forward;
• Engage, motivate and mobilize workers;
• Plan and carry out actions and events to support worker organizing efforts;
• Develop a basic understanding of labor law and regulations affecting union organizing;
• Help workers tell their stories through public speaking, video, social media, and other communications;  
• Coordinate social media;
• Use basic social media tools to effectively engage workers, build networks, and communicate;
• Lead workers into struggle so that they learn from their experience that their power comes from collective action.

What are we looking for?

• A strong, demonstrated commitment to racial, social, labor, and economic justice;
• Ability and willingness to work long and irregular hours, including nights and weekends;
• Comfort speaking and having one on one conversations with potential or current members;
• Excellent verbal communication skills and the ability to communicate with people from diverse backgrounds;
• Comfort traveling to worksites and doing worker outreach alone;
• Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision;
• Computer and basic social media literacy;
• Valid U.S. driver’s license;
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment;
• Previous base building organizing experience, paid or unpaid, highly preferred, but not required;
• Knowledge of labor law, the bargaining process, and/or union regulations preferred, but not required;
• Spanish fluency or proficiency preferred but not required.
• The work schedule can at times be greater than 40 hours per week and includes evening and weekend meetings and events, as necessary. It is not a strictly 9am-5pm position.

Salary

Experienced based pay scale, with annual step increases. The start rate for a person without any labor or relevant organizing experience is $54,769/year and for each year of comparable experience, the salary increases ~$3,000. This position will receive a raise yearly, as each year, the employee will gain a year of experience and go up to the next step of the scale, and each year the union has a COLA.

Benefits

• Fully employer-paid health benefits package for employee and spouse/dependents;
• Defined benefit pension plan;
• $570/month Auto allowance;
• Up to $150 monthly work-related cell phone reimbursement;
• Other benefits outlined in the policies of 1199 and the staff union contract.

The work schedule can at times be greater than 40 hours per week and includes evening and weekend meetings and events, as necessary. It is not a strictly 9am-5pm position.

SEIU 1199NE does not sponsor work visas; all of the above jobs require authorization to work in the United States.

SEIU 1199NE is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, LGBT people, and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.