UNITE HERE Local 355 Campaign Researcher

UNITE HERE Local 355 is recruiting a full-time Campaign Researcher to conduct research, develop strategy, and move campaigns to win justice for low wage workers.

Our research teams conduct industry, corporate, real estate and political research and analysis to develop and carry out campaigns focused on winning economic justice for low wage, primarily immigrant hospitality workers. Our campaigns organize non-union workers and secure improved standards for existing union members in the food service, gaming and casino, and hotel industries.

About UNITE HERE Local 355: UNITE HERE Local 355 represents nearly 7,000 workers in South Florida extending as far north as West Palm Beach, as far south as Homestead and as far west as Fort Myers, and we work in conjunction with our over 26,000 members in Orlando. UNITE HERE represents workers in airports, hotels, casinos, stadium and arenas. We are the hospitality union. We are the housekeepers, maintenance workers, bartenders, casino cashiers, airport cashiers, bellmen, dishwashers, banquet servers, cocktail servers, doormen, food runners, housemen, cooks, and slot attendants in some of the most prominent companies in South Florida like the Fountainebleau Hotel Miami Beach Resort, the Miami International Airport and Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport. Members of Local 355 make the South Florida hospitality industry successful.

UNITE HERE Local 355 is an affiliate of UNITE HERE which represents approximately 300,000 hotel, food service and gaming workers across the United States and Canada.

Job responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

• Research companies using a wide variety of sources, including published databases, on-line and Internet sources.
• Conduct local and field research on companies, industries and/or real estate development projects.
• Develop company analyses and adapt them for various audiences (e.g. leadership & staff, workers, stockholders, political & regulatory bodies, the public).
• Identify and analyze new development projects in our industries and represent the union during the planning & political approval process.
• Communicate and build relationships with a wide variety of players including community organizations, company officials, customers, government staff and elected leaders.
• Develop and carry out campaign strategies and tactics.
• Work with UNITE HERE members, organizers, regional staff and elected leaders; assist in moving campaigns forward through organizing, leading actions, doing political work, as needed.

Desired Qualifications include:

• Passion for, and commitment to, fighting for workers' rights
• BA degree or relevant research and/or activist experience (labor, political, urban planning, or community/campus)
• Strong analytical, writing, computer and interpersonal/organizing skills
• Willingness to travel extensively, to work long and sometimes irregular hours, and relocate as necessary
• Familiarity with database and word processing software
• Ability to effectively manage a workload with competing priorities and deadlines
• A reliable car and driver’s license
• Nearly fluent Spanish or higher is a strong plus

Current UNITE HERE Campaign Researchers have worked in the past as community and union organizers, urban planners, journalists, teachers, and researchers elsewhere.

Salary: $55,000. Commensurate with Experience.

Benefits: UNITE HERE offers a comprehensive benefits package (valued at $46,400 for family coverage) and employee pays 0$ in premium. Benefits include family medical, dental, vision and prescription coverage, retirement funds (401k and defined benefit pension), and generous paid time off.

Please be prepared to include in your application:

• Cover letter—Please be sure to let us know why you’re motivated to fight for workers’ rights and share any experience you have with hospitality industry or service sector work.
• Resume
• Writing sample
• Three references—preferably individuals who have supervised your work.

Locations: Miami

Applying: Please go to Campaign Researcher at UNITE HERE’s job website to apply. Application link is at the bottom of the page.

UNITE HERE offers a comprehensive benefits package (valued at $46,400 for family coverage) and employee pays 0$ in premium. Benefits include family medical, dental, vision and prescription coverage, retirement funds (401k and defined benefit pension), and generous paid time off.

Nearly fluent Spanish or higher is a strong plus.