Location:  Federal Way, WA

Closing date: December 15, 2009

Summary: The Collective Bargaining & Employer Relations Specialist works as part of a team negotiating and enforcing contracts, developing worker leaders as Advocates (stewards), Labor Management Committee members, and bargaining team members.  The assigned work is throughout Washington and Montana.

Job Description

Collective Bargaining:

• Negotiate union contracts  in the healthcare industry
• Recruit and develop member leaders to participate on the contract negotiations team
• Coordinate contract negotiation and contract campaigns

Labor Management & Culture Change:

• Participate in the coordination and facilitation of a dynamic and growing industry-wide Labor Management Committee program charged with enhancing communication and culture change in the long term care industry
• Engage in other areas of Employer Relations as assigned
• Recruit and develop member leaders to participate in the Labor Management Committee process

Member Support & Dispute Resolution:

• Manage the union's workplace dispute resolution process
• Support other departments and teams of the union as needed and work with members and leaders to develop leadership skills needed within the scope of these programs
• Recruit and develop member leaders to serve as member Advocates in Nursing Homes and Home Care Agencies

Additional Responsibilities:

• Assignments to political, electoral and growth mobilization as required by the organization
• Other duties as assigned

Job qualifications: Personal commitment to the mission and goals of SEIU Healthcare 775NW is a requirement of this position (visit www.seiu775.org for more information).
A drivers’ license, a car, and automobile insurance are requirements of this position. Excellent oral and written communication skills , competent computer use with the Microsoft Office Suite , the ability to utilize data bases and to learn to use the organization’s proprietary database is a requirement. Willingness to work long, irregular hours, including evenings and weekends, is required. Willingness to travel is a requirement. Strong personal planning and time management skills and ability to work with people from other cultures and backgrounds are also necessary skills. In addition, the ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment are considered key components to achieving organizer performance standards. Experience with the following types of employers is highly significant: labor unions, progressive issue advocacy organizations, community organizations, political campaigns and elected officials.

Preferences
Women and persons of color are strongly encouraged to apply for specialist positions. Experience with Labor Management Committees or similar joint Employer/Union organizations, mediation, arbitration, and an understanding of the long term care industry are all desirable. Fluency in a second language is also highly desirable.

Compensation
Salary and benefits are set by collective bargaining agreement, and range from $38,850 to $50,000 a year depending on experience.  Benefits include fully employer-paid family health, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, a generous leave package, car allowance, fully employer-paid pension (defined benefit plan), an optional 401(K) plan (no employer match), and other benefits outlined in the policies of SEIU Healthcare 775NW and the staff union contract.

Office Location
Federal Way
33615 1st Ave S
Federal Way WA 98003 (assignments may be throughout WA and MT)

Submission Instructions
Please send résumé, cover letter, salary history, and 3 references, to jobs@seiu775.org. Reference CBER. No phone calls, please.

Please submit all required information to:
Talent Manager
Email: jobs@seiu775.org