Internal Organizer

United Farm Workers of America•Madera, CA

About The Position

The Internal Organizer performs duties assigned by the Regional Director and plans, directs, coordinates, and administers UFW membership growth, renewal, and benefits programs for UFW contracts. The role facilitates partnership opportunities with contracted companies and manages worker board and steward activities, contract negotiations, dispute resolution, and contract administration. The work includes developing operational plans that address the organization’s needs and political and union organizing objectives. The organizer works with the Regional Director on operational planning, maintains accurate grievance, arbitration, and membership records, and builds and supports worker boards, stewards, and volunteer organizations. The role develops programs to attract member participation and increase membership, trains worker boards to conduct meetings, supports issue resolution and contract negotiations, and develops industry and area councils to increase bargaining power. The organizer also maintains relationships with company management, workers, and community, religious, and political leaders, and refers media inquiries to the Regional Director. Other duties may be assigned.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
At least one year of experience organizing, building committees, and identifying and developing leadership.
Ability to use the MOR planning process and effective training methods for members and supporters.
Good organizational skills and ability to work independently.
Familiarity with the history and mission of the UFW and willingness to make a long-term commitment.
Ability to write reports and business correspondence.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to speak, read, and write in Spanish and English.
Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, and percentages.
Ability to solve practical problems involving a variety of concrete variables and limited standardization.
Ability to interpret instructions provided in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Valid Class C driver's license.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, email, and the Internet.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, including frequently lifting or moving up to 10 pounds and occasionally lifting or moving up to 50 pounds.

Responsibilities

Work with the Regional Director to develop an operational plan.
Participate in monthly MOR meetings.
Maintain accurate records of grievances and arbitrations at assigned companies.
Ensure membership data for assigned companies is maintained and accurate.
Develop and maintain a functioning worker board and steward structure.
Direct and participate in developing and training a volunteer organization.
Implement programs designed to attract member participation.
Train worker boards to develop agendas and conduct monthly membership meetings.
Develop programs to increase membership at assigned companies.
Manage the issue-resolution process at assigned companies.
Plan with worker boards and negotiating committees to prepare for negotiations.
Develop industry and area councils to increase bargaining power.
Develop and maintain mutually beneficial relationships with management at assigned companies.
Develop and maintain relationships with worker boards, crew stewards, and members.
Refer media inquiries to the Regional Director.
Develop and maintain relationships with religious, political, and community leaders.
Perform other duties as assigned.