Labor Organizer (Full Time)

Michigan Nurses Association; Okemos (MI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 108,000; Full time

Job summary

Michigan Nurses Association is seeking an Organizer to empower non-union nurses and healthcare professionals to form unions and to assist MNA Locals in internal organizing. The organizer will work within the MNA Organizing Department to educate, advocate, and mobilize members and healthcare workers across Michigan.

The position requires willingness to travel, irregular hours, and strong communication skills to recruit leaders and build organizing committees that can win recognition in

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED and minimum one year of labor, community, or student organizing.
• Preferred: bachelor’s degree and two years of union organizing experience or equivalent.
• RN or healthcare professional work experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Identify and recruit RN and healthcare professional leaders through one-on-one and group communication.
• Assist and support organizing strategies to win union recognition in unorganized workplaces.
• Conduct one-on-one organizing via home and work site visits to recruit supporters.
• Develop and deploy worker-leader committees to advance campaigns.
• Organize and lead meetings and trainings to move campaigns forward.
• Support tactics to win organizing elections and conduct direct actions as needed.
• Travel across Michigan and work irregular hours as required.
• Coordinate with MNA Locals and Organizing Department staff.

Skills

Union organizing

Public speaking

Communication

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Four-year college degree preferred

RN or healthcare professional background preferred

Job description

Salary Range: $69,705 – $108,225, based upon relevant experience

About Us:

The mission of the Michigan Nurses Association (MNA) is to represent professional registered nurses, as well as all members. Through the MNA, members shall act to educate, advocate, organize, and collectively bargain to promote professional practice, quality patient outcomes, and healthy communities.

Summary/Objective:

The Organizer’s role is to represent and assist the Michigan Nurses Association in empowering non-union nurses and healthcare professionals to form unions; to assist MNA Locals in internal organizing; and to carry out other projects on behalf of MNA members. The employee is part of the MNA Organizing Department, which empowers healthcare workers to advocate for themselves, their patients, their families, and their communities.

Job Responsibilities:

• Identify, recruit, train, develop and inspire RN and healthcare professional leaders through one-on-one and group communication
• Assist and support the execution of organizing strategies to help workers build power and win union recognition in unorganized workplaces through leadership identification and development, building organizing committees, and preparing workers for NLRB and other elections, and/or strategic recognition campaigns
• Conducts one-on-one organizing through home and work site visits to assess and recruit supporters and leaders.
• Develops broad, representative organizing committees (external)/action committees (internal) of worker-leaders, and trains and deploys them to move the campaign.
• Organize and lead productive meetings and trainings
• Develop and implement successful tactics to win union organizing elections against employer opposition
• Organizing and carrying out direct actions to support worker organizing efforts
• Help run large actions such as picket lines, strikes, and marches
• Conducts the investigation of organizing targets to gather data and information, build a list of workers, assesses worker interest, and scout the physical location without divulging the union’s presence.
• Perform administrative tasks necessary for organizing (such as maintaining databases, producing materials, and correspondence)
• Communicate with workers including active listening, framing issues, and motivating them to participate in their union
• Represent the Union as assigned in community and labor coalition activities
• Engaging, motivating, and mobilizing workers to take action
• Work closely with member organizers and MNA Leaders including assisting in training and developing their organizing skills
• Utilizing digital, communication, data, and work planning tools to execute relevant campaign strategies and plans
• Participate in political activities, such as, canvassing and phone banking.
• Timely complete administrative tasks such as Expense or Activity Reports
• Attend and participate in staff meetings ideally in-person or electronically when necessary.
• Attend MNA House of Delegates and Bargaining Unit Leadership Conferences and other such functions.

This job description is not intended to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Required Education and Experience:

• High School Diploma or GED and a minimum of one (1) year of labor, community, or student organizing as a minimum requirement.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university and a minimum of two (2) years of experience in union organizing and campaign development at a very seasoned level, or an equivalent combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
• Registered Nurse or Health Care Professional work experience/history.

Specialized Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Experience as an organizer in union or social justice movement setting preferred
• Willing to work long, irregular hours (including nights and weekends), as needed
• Extensive travel as needed
• Relocation may be required
• Ability to work with minimal supervision
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work alone or as a part of a team to move MNA campaigns forward.
• Commitment to organizational discipline
• Ability to work with a diverse, multi-cultural membership

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to travel in Michigan, work extended and irregular hours, and work off site, if needed.
• A valid drivers’ license, use of a car for work, and valid auto insurance are mandatory.

Physical Demands:

• Work is generally performed in an office setting with prolonged periods of sitting and working on a computer.
• Lifting of normal items (boxes of paper, storage boxes, etc.) found in an office setting up to 40 pounds when necessary.

EEO Statement:

MNA provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, results of genetic testing, height, weight, or service in the military.

*Multiple Positions