Job Title: Southwest Area Lead
Status: Full-time
Immediate Supervisor: Director of Organizing
Location: Regionally assigned in Southwest Minnesota (Worthington to Mankato)
Date: Updated 06/12/2024
Starting Salary: $80,000+ (pursuant to collective bargaining agreement)
JOB SUMMARY
PURPOSE: The Southwest Area Lead is responsible for leading the staff in southwest Minnesota and serving the membership of UFCW Local 663 through organizing members and non-members to build power, enforcing and negotiating the collective bargaining agreements, and building coalitions with community partners. The key candidate will understand the value of worker power and actively lead to ensure the success and stability of our Union and labor movement.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Lead internal organizing and contract campaigns;
- Lead external organizing to build power and density in the meatpacking/food processing industry;
- Lead and support staff representative(s) on internal organizing, building power, and contract enforcement;
- Lead immigrant rights work in southwest Minnesota, including Deferred Action, Citizenship, and TPS programming and workshops;
- Develop deep relationships with partner community organizations to support each others’ work through alignment to amplify our collective power;
- Build worker power through 1 to 1 conversations, and model for other staff and member leaders;
- Build relationships with member and non-member leaders throughout assigned work locations;
- Support staff and members in enforcing collective bargaining agreements, including all steps of grievance handling;
- Mentor and empower members to be effective Stewards and leaders in their workplace, including participation at Labor Management Meetings;
- Receive training and development to grow to become a lead negotiator, including filing reopeners, organizing workers to support gathering and drafting proposals, researching, and presenting proposals at the bargaining table;
- Serve as a resource to members for legislative issues, trends in bargaining, and other matters related to terms and conditions of employment;
- Lead teams of member organizers to build worker power and accomplish the goals of the Local;
- Communicate effectively, including written materials such as leaflets, fliers, texts, and letters to meet members’ needs;
- Ability to learn UFCW databases (LUMM and Sidekick) as needed to ensure updated data;
- Update supervisor with necessary information through established check-ins to ensure appropriate representation for members;
- Other duties as assigned.
Examples above provide a general summary of the work required and should not be treated as a complete list of expected duties to be performed by employees in this classification.
DIRECTIONS AND DECISION MAKING:
This position reports primarily to the Organizing Director with partial reporting to the Field Director on a regular basis and will be expected to keep them regularly apprised of developments on all labor relations activities. This position requires self-accountability, independent decision making, ability to think on your feet and prioritize issues. Physical location of position is at the discretion of the President.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Must live in, or be willing to move to, Southwest Minnesota
- Excellent leadership and motivational skills;
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, including excellent “one-on-one” interpersonal communications and ability to navigate complex interpersonal relationships;
- Ability to train and educate others;
- Ability to learn Federal and State labor laws and work collectively to enforce them;
- Required to work irregular/extended work hours, including evenings and weekends, with occasional overnight stays;
- Ability to lead, train and coordinate member leaders and organizing committee members;
- Ability to self-motivate, work independently, and stay on task and on time;
- Ability to drive long distances and maintain a valid driver’s license;
- Experience with Outlook, Microsoft Office, Excel and Google Drive, Google Sheets, and Google Docs.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bilingual in Spanish and English;
- Previous union experience as a member leader;
- Knowledge of union organizing practice and principles;
- General knowledge of the roles and duties of union officers and staff and understanding of UFCW Local 663 union philosophy;
- Skilled in contract negotiations, labor relations, and dispute resolution;
- Knowledge of anti-union employer tactics;
- Education or past work history in Legal Studies, History, Education, or Leadership.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
High School Diploma or greater with experience as a member of a union or experience in union organizing or advocacy is preferred. Any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the primary responsibilities will be considered.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AS REQUIRED BY ADA:
- Work is performed from a field office.
- Driving, travel, temporary assignments, and extended work hours are required.
- Valid driver’s license required.
- The ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand and must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
- The ability to observe details at close range.
- Frequently moves boxes weighing up to 75 pounds.
Must pass a pre-employment background check and reference check. We offer a competitive salary and great benefits. We offer a starting salary of $80,000+ (subject to the collective bargaining agreement), car allowance, health benefits, paid vacation, paid holidays, sick days, pension, life insurance, and cell phone/phone stipend.
TO APPLY:
Résumés and cover letters should be sent to Michael LaCoste, Secretary Treasurer, at: michaell@ufcw663.org. Position will remain posted until 6/28/2024.