Position: Organizing Director - Internal
Background:
SEIU Local 26 is a dynamic local of over 8000 janitors and security officers in Minnesota, the people who clean and protect some of the largest corporate headquarters in the world and who have a proud history of militant fights for social and economic justice. Local 26 members were some of the first security officers in the country to go on strike and engage in acts of strategic civil disobedience in 2009, and struck again in 2013 to raise standards within their industry across 2000 suburban and downtown officers. In 2016, 2020, and 2024 the janitors of the union, a multilingual bargaining unit made up of Latin American, East African, and American-born workers, went on strike, and created an alliance with the Sierra Club and other environmental allies to win a contract with some of the first Green Cleaning language in the country, and later an expanded green cleaning education fund.
Description:
This position will direct multiple leads over teams of internal organizers for our union. The position will coordinate and be ultimately responsible to develop and manage strategy and program for each of our 4 sectors separately (airports, janitorial, security, retail cleaners), as well as cross-sector, union-wide initiatives. This will include enforcement of the existing contracts and the fight for the next one in 2028. Supervises leads who will oversee the work of front line organizers and brigades (members on short term leaves of absence). Worksite organizing and supervisory experience with low income, diverse workers, and computer skills, contract enforcement, leadership development experience also highly recommended.
Duties may include, but are not limited to:
- Lead a team of lead organizers in each sector to successfully achieve the goals of the internal organizing department, with a focus on leadership development, training and skills building, and daily supervision.
- Work collaboratively with other union directors across departments and front line staff to set and implement union-wide goals.
- Build an extensive and comprehensive network of worksite leaders and member-activists; develop a member leadership program, working with staff and other members to identify, train, and develop rank and file leaders.
- Create a culture of accountability that effectively recruits and mentors new stewards, leaders, and activists; teach and model one-on-one persuasion, assessment, and motivation of workers at the worksite, in meetings, on the phone and on home visits as necessary.
- Build an internal organizing department that can effectively use social media and traditional communication strategies; design, prepare, and distribute meeting notices, flyers, newsletters, and other literature, including the use of WhatsApp and texting.
- Maintain organizing lists and databases, and improve their use for planning and directing work.
- Plan and coordinate contract enforcement and a culture of unifying member engagement around grievances and worksite issues, including meetings and public actions, culminating in contract campaigns.
- Mobilize membership and ensure turn-out for community, political, and union events and a deeper understanding of union values and strategy.
- Lead the development of campaigns to further the interests of the members and the power of our union.
Pay and Benefits:
This is a position beginning in the second third quarter of 2024. Pay is on a scale starting at $85,000. Healthcare and other benefits are included. A car and valid driver’s license are required. Location: Minneapolis-Saint Paul Metropolitan Area, Minnesota. Local 26 is an equal opportunity employer and, given our diverse membership, we particularly encourage applications from women and people of color, and candidates from our own membership. This position strongly encourages English and Spanish fluency. Interested applicants should send resumes to bmendez@seiu26.org
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