Organizing Director

United Nurses Associations of California

San Dimas, CA

BACKGROUND

The United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals represents more than 19,000 registered nurses and other health care professionals. UNAC/UHCP, as the association is known, is affiliated with the National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO.
Since forming in 1972, UNAC/UHCP has grown into a mature and highly respected professional union that is a powerful force for registered nurses and medical professionals in Southern California. Please visit www.unac-ca.org for a comprehensive picture of this dynamic and growing union.

OVERVIEW OF THIS POSITION

This position is responsible for planning, leading and conducting a wide array of external and internal organizing activities, including targeting, leadership recruitment, training volunteers, running campaigns and conducting first-contract campaigns.  The Director is responsible for hiring, training, and supervising staff organizers.  The Director, in conjunction with the Union’s Treasurer and/or Controller, is responsible for establishing and managing the Organizing Department’s annual budget.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

• Leads staff organizers and volunteers in both external and internal organizing campaigns.
• Develops written campaign plans involving the need for staff, volunteers, communications, offices, printing and other resources.
• Assesses the progress of organizing campaigns and recommends go/no-go decisions to the Union’s Officers.
• Leads or conducts research of potential organizing targets.  Analyzes data and applies other criteria to assess possible targets of organizing.
• Explores or supervises the investigation of organizing targets to gather data/information, build a list of workers, and assess worker interest.
• Provides for recruitment and training of volunteer organizers from within the Union’s membership.
• Develops broad, representative organizing committees of worker-leaders, and trains and deploys them to move the campaign.
• Develops communications program with messages to pre-empt an employer campaign.
• Develops/writes leaflets and other materials for organizing campaigns.

DIRECTIONS AND DECISION MAKING

This position works under the direction of the UNAC/UHCP Officers and reports to the President. Work is performed independently, but keeps the UNAC/UHCP Officers regularly apprised of activities and developments during organizing activities. .

REQUIREMENTS

• Five to seven (5-7) years experience leading organizing campaigns; or any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

1. Knowledge of union organizing practice and principles.
2. Knowledge of labor laws, especially with respect to union organizing.
3. Knowledge of anti-union employer tactics.
4. Ability to conduct employer research and gather information to evaluate organizing targets, develop organizing lists and implement organizing strategies.
5. Ability to train and coordinate staff organizers, volunteer organizers and organizing committee members.

• Leadership and motivational skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple organizing projects and meet deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to communicate and interact effectively with potential union members, Affiliate leadership and existing Union members, including excellent “one-on-one’ interpersonal communications.
• Current, active RN, RNP, PA, or OD License or other appropriate professional license; if no healthcare professional license, B.A. or B.S., in a relevant field or background in labor movement and/or progressive movement.
• Good standing with BRN or appropriate licensing agency (if applicable).

SALARY AND BENEFITS

• Very competitive starting salary depending on experience
• Fully paid dependent health, dental, vision, disability and life insurance
• Defined benefit pension plan and 401.k retirement plan
• Excellent vacation and leave provisions

UNAC/UHCP is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse workforce.

TO APPLY
Please send cover letter and résumé electronically to:
Margolies and Potterton
Search Advisors for Labor
Ken Margolies
kam47@cornell.edu
or  Jim Potterton
jpotterton@sbcglobal.net

For more information about this position and/or to have a confidential discussion about your interests contact:
In California:                                                      In New York:
Jim Potterton                                                     Ken Margolies
831 332 9324                                                   917 886 2429
jpotterton@sbcglobal.net                                   kam47@cornell.edu