ORGANIZER II (2 positions)

The position reports to Florida Organizing Council 979 Director or their designee. The Organizer position has the overall responsibility of building local union capacity and empowering current membership through internal organizing. The position also has the responsibility of carrying out the union’s vision for building strength and achieving growth by organizing new members. These groups may be spread throughout various facilities in a localized area, or anywhere within the state. Travel is a requirement of the position. A valid Florida driver’s license and auto insurance is required.  

These positions (2) be based in Miami and Jacksonville, Florida

Salary range:  60,000 – 75,000 

If you wish to apply for the position, please email your resume to dtownsend@afscme.org and also include a daytime phone number with your resume.

The Organizer will focus heavily on a variety of organizing opportunities/programs and the occasional representational issues, which include, but not limited to:

• Understands and is proficient in all elements of the “AFSCME Organizing Model”.
• Understands and is proficient in the UPay system.
• Understands and is proficient in the Union’s PEOPLE program including signing up members to be part of PEOPLE.
• Actively promotes the union’s vision for building strength and achieving growth to current and potential members/leaders and guides their activity on behalf of the union.
• Develops and leads worker mobilizations for internal and external organizing and political efforts.
• Assists stewards and other work site leaders in developing strategies for contract negotiations, contract campaigns, internal organizing, anti-privatization fights and other programs of the union.
• In partnership with local union leadership, handles the grievance step prior to arbitration; acts as a resource to assist local leaders to handle early step grievances and disciplinary meetings. Mentors local leaders to conduct labor management meetings; and other duties associated with servicing and with chartering new locals.
• Conducts research, gathers information, and devises effective strategies for negotiating collective bargaining agreements, preparing for arbitrations and other servicing, and organizing activities.
• Maintains regular communication with leaders and members through local union meetings (i.e. general membership and executive board), UPay sign ups, job site visits, one-on-one meetings, and house visits to maintain member rapport, monitor worker attitudes and to guide their activity on behalf of the union.
• Works with their supervisor to make appropriate training programs for local unions available.
• Identifies, recommends, and trains potential volunteer member organizers from within the AFSCME membership.
• Explores organizing targets to gather data and information, builds a list of workers and assesses interest and plans and conducts meetings with organizing committees and other workers.
• Visits workers in their homes as part of union organizing and/or political activities.
• Assists with contract negotiations through their conclusion.
• Assists with the arbitration process through their conclusion.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

The position requires seasoned proficiency and judgment with the following skill sets:

• One-on-One Communications:
• Recruitment, Development & Coordination of Worker Leaders/Organizing Committees
• Planning & Running Meetings and Actions
• Developing & Communicating Campaign Message to the Workforce
• Training & Developing VMOs and Less Experienced Organizers
• Planning and Implementing Assignments
• Support of the AFSCME Mission and Work Attitude
• Works independently keeping supervisor regularly apprised of work activity, issues, and potential problems.
• Lead internal/external campaigns
• Organize and lead blitzes
• Oversee campaign budgets

Education and Experience 

• High school diploma or equivalent, 5 to 10 years of relevant organizing experience, or any combination of education and experience which provides the following knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Knowledge of labor unions and labor relations and servicing union members at a professional level.
• Knowledge of computers and applicable software.
• Ability to plan and coordinate work activities and keep detailed records and file reports in a timely manner.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with employees and members.
• Ability to work long hours independently to accomplish union’s objectives.
• Ability to develop persuasive written and graphic documents.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
• Ability to effectively plan workers actions including strikes.
• Grievance handling.
• The ability to communicate in English and Spanish preferred.