Internal Organizer - Homecare

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.

Summary of Position:

An 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, developing leaders, contract negotiations, 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 improving 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 internal organizing of statewide membership.
• Identify, recruit, train and develop member leaders; assist in defining member leader roles (Orientation, Outreach, Communication, Training, Political, Grievance); assist in developing plans for local and statewide campaigns.
• Create and implement a worker visit schedule to be postedon the internal shared calendar.
• Support the member leaders in developing a process for new memberorientation
• Develop a programfor COPE
• Support member leadersin processing grievances and carrying out investigations.
• Create or assist members in creating communication systems; write and edit leaflets, proposals, social media posts, and newsletters
• Negotiate contracts and assist other staff in negotiating contracts– from proposals through strike preparation
• Train Member leadersto ensure accordance of collective bargaining agreements; meeting timelines and procedures related to labor contracts.
• Participate in organizing campaigns when requested, lead residual organizing campaigns in existing jurisdictions.
• Monitor policies in work sites, concerned members,ensuring contract compliance.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• High School Diplomaor GED, Secondary Education preferred, or an equivalent combination of training and experience related to the duties of the position
• Previous work experience in a Union setting
• Ability to communicate well in writingand orally
• Good personal organizational skills; good recordkeeping
• Must be computerliterate, advanced computerskills a plus
• Must have a valid driver’slicense and vehiclein good working condition. Must have proof of auto insurance.

SKILLS NEEDED

• Ability to establishrapport with membersfrom diverse ethnic,social and economic groups
• Ability to identify and develop leaders
• Ability to develop campaign plans and execute contract and other organizing campaigns
• Ability to mobilizemembership around issues
• Knowledge of labor rights and contract language
• Ability to negotiatecollective bargaining agreements
• Ability to gather,analyze and presentstatistical data
• Ability to maintaina commitment to educating the members on the Unionand their contract

BEHAVIORAL QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED

• Good judgment and ability to discern priorities when faced with many importanttasks.
• Ability to handlechallenging, negative situations and organize to have the best outcome.
• Manage conflicting demands.
• Maintain rapport with members.
• Reassure members, by your actions,that you are for them and will not take management’s word over theirs or “favor” management.
• Work under pressureindependently.
• Maintain HIGH degreeof confidentiality, both for your members and the union as a whole.
• Show professional demeanorat worksites and in the community.
• Maintain respectful, professional relationship with Unionmember leaders; supporting them in their roles.
• History of high level of proven leadership.

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

Compensation and benefits as set forth in the contract with USW Local 2002 for “Union Representative and Organizer.”

Qualified applicants should email a résumé, cover letter, and references to EVP’s Jigme Ugen; jigme.ugen@seiuhcmnia.org or Rasha Ahmad Sharif; Rasha.AhmadSharif@seiuhcmnia.org statingclearly that they are applyingfor the “Internal Organizer - Home Care” position. This position will remain open until filled. Interviews are on a rolling basis.