We’re hiring an organizer

Position Vacancy: Organizer

Applications must be received prior to 4 January 2016 and should be directed to:

Derek Blackadder, Staff Director
The Society of United Professionals – IFPTE Local 160
2239 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON
M4S 2B5

E-mailed applications are encouraged and preferred and may be sent to blackadderd@thesociety.ca.

POSITION SUMMARY

The job is responsible for supporting the Executive Vice-President Member Services in carrying out the organizing work program for the Society. This position requires an experienced Union Organizer to play an important role in all aspects of the organizing program. The successful candidate must be able to work well independently as well as part of a diverse team. The position will require travel and meetings with external groups which are off site. This is a permanent, unionized position. The job is based on a 35-hour week, Monday to Friday, with frequent required evening and weekend work. Overnight travel is required.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to the Staff Director, the job has primary responsibility for researching, planning and implementing a comprehensive organizing strategy as well as individual campaigns. The incumbent is responsible for all aspects of an organizing campaign and may be required to act independently. When appropriate the Organizer will also be responsible for co-ordinating a campaign team which might include other Society staff, International Union staff and member-organizers.

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS

  • Requires a University degree in a relevant field or equivalent knowledge/experience with between 8 years previous experience with trade unions, and working on organizing campaigns.
  • Demonstrated ability to successfully carry out an organizing campaign.
  • Demonstrated ability to carry out research and write clearly and persuasively in a variety of styles and for a variety of audiences.
  • Well-developed interpersonal communication skills, including ability to persuade, reassure, and respond to challenges.

REQUIREMENTS

  • Ability to work independently to meet established project deadlines
  • Excellent political judgment
  • Ability to work cooperatively with union officers, members, staff and legal counsel to carry out the work required in the organizing program.
  • Ability to write clearly and prepare correspondence, research, reports, briefs, proposals and organizing materials.
  • Ability to communicate orally to convey information and positions, and provide detailed explanations
  • Maintain confidentiality in dealing with sensitive Society information
  • Demonstrated success in organizing new bargaining units in any Canadian jurisdiction
  • An appropriate level of computer skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to identify, develop and activate potential organizing contacts and targets.
  • A working knowledge of the Ontario Labour Relations Act.
  • The ability to research potential target workplaces and employers.
  • The ability to maintain relationships with allied organizations or potential allies over extended periods of time.
  • Hold a valid driver’s licence.

MAJOR DUTIES

  • Developing and updating an organizing strategy for the Society.
  • Developing and updating an organizing workplan.
  • Provide advice to support the consistency of the Society’s programs and campaigns with its organizing work program.
  • Design, research, write and edit a wide variety of materials required as part of the organizing work program.
  • Identify organizing opportunities and/or challenges and advise the EVP Member Services on initiatives to respond to those opportunities and/or challenges
  • Advise the EVP Member Services on the viability of ongoing campaigns and make recommendations with regard to those campaigns.
  • Organizing and engaging existing members (internal organizing).
  • Identifying and developing potential organizing opportunities.
  • Developing workplace-specific campaign strategies, planning campaigns and working effectively with inside committees and other staff.
  • Acting for the Society in certification or other organizing-related applications at the Ontario Labour Relations Board or other tribunals, without Counsel where appropriate.