Job Description

New England Health Care Employees Union
District 1199 SEIU

Political Organizer

Based in Hartford, CT

About Us:
In these challenging times, when so much wealth and power is concentrated in the hands of so few, we believe it is more important than ever to unite health care workers and the working class as a whole together with the broader political and social justice movement to achieve respect and dignity, economic and racial equality on the job and in our communities. A key guiding principle of our Union is to facilitate and stimulate the broadest possible rank and file participation in the formulation and execution of the program of the Union.

District 1199 SEIU is a bold, democratic Union with a long activist tradition. In his remarks at 1199’s Salute to Freedom in 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr stated “Local 1199 represents the authentic conscience of the labor movement.” In recent years, we’ve won a $20/hour standard for thousands of low-wage workers through militant direct-action campaigns, fought racism on the job, campaigned for progressive policy in the state legislature, and engaged in the community around a variety of social justice issues.

Responsibilities Include:

• Empowers and mobilizes workers to build their political power to positively impact their wages and benefits as well as take positions on larger social/political issues
• Assists the Political Director in targeting key campaigns and developing strategic vision for campaigns
• Responsible for building, maintaining and mobilizing community and political support for electoral and legislative campaigns
• Works with political allies to develop strategic approaches to issues of concern to the Union
• Ascertains what proposed legislation would affect members and helps the Political Director develop policy positions
• Works on key political campaigns
• Performs research on political ramifications of Union issues
• Attend community and political functions as a representative of the Union
• Does community outreach to create political allies and responsible for building, maintaining and mobilizing community and political support to union issues
• Acts as an Organizer on selected assignments

Qualifications:

• Excellent knowledge of politics, campaigning and how these interrelate with labor issues
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; ability to listen actively, frame issues, and lead workers through fights; patient in pressure situations
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice and empowering working people to build political power
• Direct experience in field organizing for election or other issue campaigns
• Motivated self started who has the ability to learn without heavy supervision
• Ability to think strategically and meet many/changing deadlines
• Automobile and valid driver’s license
• Knowledge of state budgetary process and other policy
• 1-2 years experience in previous labor, political, or community organizing. 2 years preferred
• Bilingual Preferred

Special Requirements:

• Hours can be long and varying; shifting priorities and deadlines
• Decisions can have serious effects on Union’s effectiveness and on member’s working conditions, which is a source of stress
• Some work is under adverse conditions (late hours, unsafe areas, confrontational situations)

Salary & Benefits:
Competitive salary depends on experience. This job includes a generous benefits package including pension and health insurance

To Apply:
Send cover letter and résumé to:

Katie Bordonaro, Executive Assistant
77 Huyshope Avenue, Hartford CT 06106
Email: Kbordonaro@seiu1199ne.org
Fax: 860-251-6049

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