Political Organizer, 1199 SEIU UHWE

 About 1199SEIU UHWE
With over 450,000 members throughout Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Florida, and Washington, DC, 1199SEIU is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in the nation. Since our founding in 1932, our mission has been to stand up for quality healthcare, good jobs and social justice for all. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. called 1199 his favorite union and referred to us as “the authentic conscience of the labor movement." Over the years 1199 has won some of the highest standards for healthcare workers in the country, including good wages and benefits, safe staffing, paid time off, secure retirement, model childcare and education benefits and a real voice work in the workplace. Our members are highly politically engaged and active, so we have the strength to advocate with government and elected officials for our patients, families and communities. We are affiliated with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) which has over 2 million members and is the largest labor union in North America.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Candidates should have a background in union organizing, progressive politics and/or political campaigns with an emphasis on field organizing.  It is essential that candidates be a quick study of electoral districts and representatives.  Candidates should have experience with event turnout, volunteer recruitment and mobilization.  Candidates should have a strong grasp on contemporary political, legislative and labor issues and current events.   It is preferred that candidates have basic computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel. Candidates should have adequate written and verbal communication skills including public speaking abilities.  Experience with the healthcare community is a plus. Ability to work irregular hours, including nights and weekends.  Candidates must maintain a valid state driver license.

JOB SUMMARY:

The primary focus of the Political Organizer includes:

• Organizing and tracking voter registration and Political Action Contribution (PAC) sign-up campaigns
• Providing support to Organizing staff during contract and organizing campaigns
• Educating and mobilizing 1199SEIU members around political issues, legislative and electoral campaigns
• Recruiting, training, and growing a cadre of Member Political Organizers (MPOs) and rank and file activists
• Leading teams of members during release programs or campaigns
• Advocating on behalf of 1199SEIU members with the offices of elected officials and community groups; building community coalitions on behalf of the Union

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Political Action Fund Organizing & Voter Registration:
  • Coordinate PAC and voter registration activities with 1199SEIU organizing staff - PAC institution blitzes, PAC sign up at ratification votes, membership meetings and other union activities.
• Contract & Organizing Campaign Support:
  • Educate and mobilize members, in conjunction with division Officers and Organizer, through institutional outreach to attend meetings with elected officials, activist committees, union events, etc.
• Issue, Legislative and Electoral Campaigns:
  • Plan and execute member mobilization activities in support of 1199SEIU endorsed candidates, legislation, and issue campaigns. Assist organizers with institutional recruitment of members to work on political campaigns. 
  • Direct member mobilization field activities including door-to-door canvassing, phone banking and retail campaigning.
  • Work with the Communications Coordinator to recruit and prepare members to speak on behalf of the Union at legislative hearings, press conferences, electoral campaign events and other political activities.
  • Help manage in-district lobby activities.
  • Attend local political and government meetings as needed.
  • Leading teams of members during release programs or campaigns - track members’ work, assist in evaluating, support, Lead teams.
• Community Coalition Building:
  • Work with division staff to identify members involved in local community organizations and educate members on connecting healthcare issues with their community work.
  • Meet with local elected officials and other key political/community activists to establish political agenda and build coalitions. Attend relevant meetings of community organizations, labor unions, etc.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by

persons assigned to this title.  They do not include all job duties performed by employees in the title and

every position does not necessarily require the same duties.

All interested persons meeting the minimum qualifications are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter via email to jobs@1199.org.

1199/SEIU is an equal opportunity employer.