Congress of Connecticut Community Colleges

Position Description

Union (Internal) Organizer

Respond by:  Email info@the4cs.org or Fax 860-296-6219

Purpose of Class:

The Union Organizer is responsible for representing our full and part-time bargaining unit members at the Community Colleges and the University of Hartford. Participation in organizing, legislative/political and community actions, member empowerment through chapter leader education and development, collective bargaining agreement (CBA) advocacy and conflict resolution, and contract negotiations characterize some of the core skills necessary to work with local and state leaders to reach our organization goals.

The successful 4Cs staff member’s duties include, but are not limited to:

• Conduct meetings, training, and other events vital to the active work of a college campus union chapter to empower members in the workplace.
• Travel between assigned campuses on a regular schedule to meet with members, chapter leaders and campus management.
• Identify issues and problems of concern to our diverse union membership with sensitivity and compassion.
• Advocate for members strategically and passionately as required
• Handle grievances, arbitrations, and mediations.
• Identify campus union leaders and promote the development of current and future campus union leaders.
• Engage member support of our union’s state and national political program.
• Mobilize member to engagement in direct action to support their own interests, and to further the interests of their students, their communities, and their various organized labor and social justice partners.
• Periodic evening and weekend work are required.

Supervisory and Other Relationships:

The Union Organizer reports to the 4Cs president. In addition, the position involves extensive cooperative and collaborative work with other 4Cs staff, local and state officers, members at large, college campus and System Office personnel, and others.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• The ability to work with diverse higher education professionals in various stages of their careers.
• Written and oral communication skills sufficient for interaction with higher education professionals.
• The ability to interpret relevant special bodies of knowledge (contract, labor law, State of Connecticut pension and health care plan regulations, etc.)
• The ability to listen closely, reserving judgment, and to frame issues.
• The ability to research, gather, and interpret information and evidence.
• The ability to make persuasive arguments in a variety of settings, using multiple modalities.
• The ability to advocate and negotiate, both formally and informally.
• Information technology literacy skills.
• Planning and organizing abilities–in individual, team, and coalition settings.
• Judgment and problem-solving skills, including prioritization of activities.
• Efficient time management skills to meet varied deadlines (e.g. return phone calls or email, and generate reports, etc.)
• Ability to motivate and develop confidence in others.
• Dedication to workers’ rights and progress.
• Knowledge of organized labor and political issues.
• Ability to work without direct supervision.

Required Experience and Training:

• College degree.
• Five (5) years of experience as a union organizer.
• A valid driver’s license and automobile insured and in good working order, for business use.
• Preferred: A Master’s Degree and five (5) years of union organizing; higher education experience preferred.
• Women, people of color and bilingual candidates encouraged to apply.

Compensation:

• Salary range starts at $65,301 (negotiable); includes full benefits package and mileage reimbursement.