About the position
SEIU Local 500 is a progressive labor union, organizing and representing over 20,000 workers in the public service in Maryland and Washington, DC. We are a proud affiliate of Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the fastest-growing union in North America. The Member Strength Organizer (MSO) will work under the Direction of the Director of Representation and/or assigned Lead(s). The MSO performs a wide range of duties including to identify and train leaders and to organize workers of SEIU Local 500 to support our political and worksite goals through executing organizing strategies and tactics that contribute to building a successful and effective organizing program and/or engage and grow the membership. This is a bargaining unit position.
Responsibilities
- Building one on one relationships with workers.
- Responsible for Membership and Committee on Political Education (COPE) recruitment.
- Identify, recruit, mobilize, train, and develop worksite leaders to support and move the union's agenda.
- Conduct individual/group meetings with workers to discuss and plan organizing campaigns to further the goals of the union.
- Establish effective organizing committees.
- Motivate individual workers and groups of workers to take action.
- Engage workers in broader union efforts to bring pressure to bear on their direct employers as well as the broader industry.
- Coordinate with workers to gather information that is useful in identifying opportunities for membership growth and mobilization.
- Conduct work site and home visits.
- Develop an understanding of contractual rights and labor rights to support workers.
- Communicate political and contractual information in understandable language.
- Develop union campaign literature.
- Work to involve community allies in organizing campaigns.
- Input and upkeep of campaign data collected in the appropriate database.
- Perform other duties as required to assist SEIU Local 500.
- Must be available for long and irregular hours, including some nights and weekends.
- Must possess a valid U.S. Driver's license, auto insurance, and an automobile for business use.
Requirements
- Bachelor's Degree preferred.
- One year of work in labor union or community organizing.
- Previous experience with the labor movement or other advocacy organizations preferred.
- Excellent writing, verbal, and analytical communication skills.
- Possession of excellent listening skills and the ability to comprehend the concerns of others.
- Strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, and great interpersonal skills are a must.
- The ability to make and follow through on a work plan.
- Basic familiarity with database entry.
- Skill in the use of Microsoft Office programs and Google.
- The ability to speak Spanish is strongly preferred.
Benefits
- 100% employer-paid health benefits (95% of the cost difference for dependents)
- 100% employer-paid pension
- Generous paid leave policy
