UAW Local 2322 is hiring a Union Representative/Organizer. This position will involve some travel around the region, and will be based in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Union Representative/Organizer will primarily work with one bargaining unit at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). This is subject to change based on UAW 2322’s needs.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a global leader in project-based learning, is a distinctive, top-tier technological university founded on the principle that students learn most effectively by applying the theory learned in the classroom to the practice of solving real-world problems. WPI houses over 70 different educational tracks (PhD, MS, BA/BS) across a vast array of disciplines such as fire protection engineering, material science engineering, and global studies.
The WPI Graduate Workers Union (WPI-GWU), amalgamated into the United Auto Workers Local 2322, represents a diverse group of graduate researchers and educators working at WPI. Our membership highly values the ability of union democracy and collective action to meet our needs as workers and members of the academic community. Through extremely successful collaboration with UAW Organizers, WPI-GWU has laid a strong foundation to protect workers rights across all disciplines. WPI-GWU is committed to fighting for safe, high quality working conditions and the advancement of protections against discrimination and exploitation of graduate workers at WPI.
Hours of work: Flexible full-time (40 hours) work schedule (can be long & unpredictable based on membership needs).
Job Duties include but are not limited to:
-Working with members and stewards to administer and enforce contracts, resolve disputes, process grievances, arbitrations and Unfair Labor Practices and using these as organizing opportunities
-Coordinating member-driven and member-lead contract negotiations
-Organizing and facilitating member trainings
-Identify, recruit, train and develop worksite leaders
-Conduct new member orientations to organize new members
-Engage in internal member mobilization activities around workplace issues, and organize workers to address issues through collective action with a critical racial and gender justice lens
-Maintain regular and effective communication with workers
-Facilitate labor-management meetings in worksites
-Build and strengthen stewards network
-Organize and participate in rallies, demonstrations, and meetings (including but not limited to: Joint Council meetings, stewards’ meetings, committee meetings, coalition meetings, etc)
-Participate in and recruit members to participate in legislative and electoral campaign activities
-Develop fliers, posters, buttons, slogans and other campaign-related materials and items
-Help develop the Union’s message by talking to members, stewards and union leaders, and articulate this message among the membership at large
-Keep E-Board and Joint Council advised of any developments regarding potential problems, hot issues, and activities union needs to be involved in
-Managing electronic lists & member databases
Skills and Qualities Preferred:
-A demonstrated commitment to the labor movement and racial equity and justice
-Familiarity with human services and education workplaces
-Prior organizing experience with demonstrable successes
-Past union experience including collective bargaining, grievance handling, organizing (new and internal) and first contract campaigns
-Familiarity with labor and employment law
-Basic legal research experience
– Excellent interpersonal, facilitation, and conflict transformation skills
-Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to write quickly and succinctly
-Detail oriented
-Ability to work with and take direction from the Local President, Executive Board and Joint Council and members
-Creative and strategic thinker
-Self-motivated and able to work independently
-Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks
-Patience, persistence and flexibility
-Computer literate: email, Google Workspace, social media, word processing (Word), spreadsheets (Excel), internet usage
-A properly insured, registered vehicle and a valid Driver’s License is required
-Skills in languages other than English preferred
UAW 2322 values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, Black people, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, immigrants, and veterans to apply. UAW 2322 is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.
Starting pay rate: $1250 starting pay per week. Salary and benefits are generous and dictated by a staff CBA. Staff are represented by IWW 650.
To be considered please submit a resume and cover letter to hiring@uaw2322.org
We will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis but priority review will be given to applications received December 1st, 2023.