Internal Organizer - Member Action Center

Organization Overview:

SEIU Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa represents over 50,000 healthcare and long-term care workers in hospitals, clinics, nursing home, and home care across Minnesota and Iowa. SEIU Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa is dedicated to building an organization which advances social and economic justicethrough work on local, state,national and even global policyissues which affect our members; our patients, residents, and clients; and our communities. Focused on uniting workers in healthcare, long term care, and home care, SEIU members are winning better wages, healthcare, and more secure jobs for our communities, uniting their strength with their counterparts around the state and world to help ensure that workers benefit from today’s global economy.

Summaryof Position:

Internal Organizer at SEIU Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa carries out a variety of job functions. An Internal Organizer “IO” will be asked to participate in organizing, legislative and political action, training of members, buildingworksite leaders, contractnegotiations, and other tasks as the need arises. Any candidate must be willing to work long and irregular hours including weekends and evenings when called for. The IO must also be willing to travel with some possible overnight stays.

The Union IO shall be required to perform services in accordance with the needs of the Local and at such times and places as are necessary. The Union IO must have a dedication to improve the position of our members and strengthen the role of our Union in every venture. There must be a willingness to become educatedin health care issues, and a desireto lead and inspire our member leaders and rank and file.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Continuous work on internalorganizing within facilities.
  • Identify, recruit, train and develop member leaders; assist in defining member leader roles (NewMember, Work Site, Political, Grievance); assist in developing plans for work- site campaigns.
  • Create andimplement an onsite visit schedule tobe posted onthe internal shared calendar.
• Support the member leadersin developing a process for new memberorientation.
• Develop a program for COPE.
• Support memberleaders in processing grievances and carryingout investigations.
  • Create or assist members in creating communication systems; write andedit leaflets, proposals, and newsletters.
  • Negotiate contracts and assist other staff in negotiating contracts – fromproposals through strike preparation.
  • Train Member leaders toensure accordance ofcollective bargaining agreements at your worksites by management; meeting timelines and procedures related to labor contracts.
  • Participate inorganizing campaigns whenrequested, lead residual organizing campaigns in existing jurisdictions.
• Monitor policiesin work sites, concerning members,ensuring contract compliance.

MINIMUMQUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• High School Diploma or GED, Secondary Education preferred, or an equivalent combination of training and experience related to the duties of the position.
• Previous work experience in Union settingrequired.
• Ability to communicate well in writingand orally.
• Good personalorganizational skills; good record keeping.
• Must be computer literate,advanced computer skillsa plus.
  • Must have a valid driver’s license andvehicle in goodworking condition. Musthave proof of auto insurance.

SKILLSNEEDED

• Knowledge of labor rights and contractlanguage.
  • Ability to negotiate collective bargaining agreements anddevelop and execute contract campaign plans.
• Ability to gather, analyzeand present statistical data.
  • Ability to establish rapport with members inwidely diversified ethnic, social and economic groups.
• Ability to mobilize membership around issues.
  • Ability to maintain acommitment to educating the members onthe Union andtheir contract.

BEHAVIORAL QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED

• Good judgmentand ability to discern priorities when faced with many importanttasks.
  • Ability to handle very negative situations where in fact, youmay be thetarget of negativity; and turn the situation around to have the best outcome.
• Manage conflicting demands.
• Maintain rapportwith members.
• Show extremeamounts of patience.
  • Reassure members, by your actions, that youare for them and will nottake management’s word over theirs or “favor” management.
• Work underpressure independently.
  • Maintain a HIGH degree ofconfidentiality, both foryour members andinternal Local issues.
• Show professional demeanor at worksitesand in the community.
  • Maintain respectful, professional relationship with Union member leaders; monitoring and supporting them in their roles.
• History of high level of provenleadership.

Candidate will be assignedto meet the needs of SEIU Healthcare and management may alter assignment as those needs change.

Compensation and benefits as set forth in the contract with USW Local 7263-21 for “Union Representative and Organizer.”