External Organizer

Chicago & Midwest Regional Joint Board of Workers United / SEIU; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 49,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Premium medical benefits

Retirement plan

Vacation leave

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Chicago & Midwest Regional Joint Board of Workers United / SEIU is seeking a Union Organizer to mobilize workers, build leadership, and advance collective bargaining across the Midwest. The role emphasizes empowering members, educating on union benefits, and coordinating campaigns.

Candidates should have 1–2 years in union organizing or related fields, strong communication skills, and a willingness to travel. A reliable car and driver's license are required for extensive Midwest travel.

Qualifications

• 1 to 2 years of union organizing or related fields.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Commitment to workers’ rights, social justice, and the labor movement.
• Willingness to travel.
• Must own a reliable car and valid driver’s license for travel.

Responsibilities

• Build relationships with workers.
• Recruit and develop leaders.
• Organize and maintain worker committees.
• Lead 1-on-1 and group organizing conversations.
• Organize worker committee meetings.
• Educate workers on union benefits and training to win campaigns.
• Run union elections and first-contract campaigns.
• Help organize large actions like picket lines and rallies.
• Write leaflets and materials for campaigns and media.
• Travel extensively within the Midwest to support organizing initiatives.
• Perform administrative tasks including databases and expense reports.

Skills

Communication

Public speaking

Leadership

Writing

Computers

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Union Organizer

Based in the Midwest Region. Join Workers United’s team as a Union Organizer, where you will play a pivotal role in advocating for workers' rights and fostering collective bargaining efforts. As a Union Organizer, you will be responsible for mobilizing and empowering workers, facilitating their understanding of union benefits, and creating a strong community of engaged members.

We are looking for dedicated, motivated individuals who possess excellent communication skills to help us expand our reach and impact within the labor movement. If you are committed to upholding social justice and ensuring a fair workplace for all, we invite you to apply and be part of a dynamic organization that stands for empowerment, equity, and solidarity.

Responsibilities

• Building relationships with workers.
• Able to identify, recruit, and effectively assess and develop leaders
• Build and maintain worker committees.
• Lead 1-on-1 and group organizing conversations.
• Organize and lead worker committee meetings.
• Educating workers on the benefits of unionization and training workers in skills needed to win campaigns.
• Running union elections and first-contract campaigns.
• Help to organize and run large actions such as picket lines and rallies.
• Write leaflets and other materials for organizing campaigns and media correspondence (design skills are a plus).
• Ability to work under pressure in a very high-paced environment with flexibility and ease
• Coordinate city, state, local, and national working groups.
• Ability to prioritize, organize and coordinate multiple tasks under changing deadlines.
• Perform administrative tasks such as maintaining databases and filing expense reports.
• Travel extensively within the Midwest for extended periods, as needed, to support organizing initiatives.

Desired Qualifications

• 1 to 2 years of experience in union organizing or related fields.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences.
• Commitment to workers’ rights, social justice, and the labor movement.
• Ability and willingness to ask for help when needed.
• Basic writing and computer skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Must own a reliable car and possess a valid driver’s license for travel purposes.
• Flexibility to travel and work irregular hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Second language proficiency is a plus.

Locations

CO, IL, IN, KY, MI, MN, MO, OH, WI

What We Offer

Salary is $58,000, and is negotiable based upon previous experience.

• Benefits package inclusive of premium medical, and retirement.
• Vacation, personal/sick time, and other compensatory perks and reimbursements.
• Opportunities for professional development and growth within the organization.
• A supportive and inclusive work environment focused on social change.