UNITE HERE Local 1
 

Communications Organizer

Based in Chicago, IL

 

UNITE HERE Local 1 Communications Organizers develop comprehensive communications strategies to secure improved standards for our 16,000 union members in the Chicago area’s food service, casino, and hotel industries and organize non-union hospitality workers into our movement. Communications organizers work directly with non-union workers, members, and organizing teams to win material gains for hospitality workers.

UNITE HERE Local 1 has lifted standards for hospitality workers across Chicago. Unionized hotel room attendants fought to raise their wages from $8.83 per hour in 2001 to $23.73 per hour today. We’ve organized almost every food service worker at O’Hare and Midway airports. Thousands of UNITE HERE Local 1 members have secured free healthcare through UNITE HERE Health. We’ve done this by identifying and challenging worker leaders to organize their coworkers to collectively confront their employers, often at great personal risk.

Communications Organizers are expected to work long and irregular hours to support these efforts.

Responsibilities (include but are not limited to):

• Work within organizing teams to develop key messages and materials to win organizing campaigns, contract fights, and other advocacy initiatives
• Organize workers, including meeting with workers at their workplaces and homes, running picket lines, and organizing rallies/other union actions
• Identify and train worker spokespeople, including conducting interviews, recording statements, and taking photographs/videos for campaigns purposes
• Identify and execute on earned media opportunities to support campaign goals
• Staff press relations, field press requests, pitch reporters, write media advisories and press releases, and build and maintain relationships with reporters
• Write clearly and concisely for diverse audiences, including union members, non-union hospitality workers, customers, elected officials, and allies
• Create flyers, graphics, videos and other materials for a variety of audiences and platforms
• Manage social media editorial calendar for multiple platforms to maximize post engagement and reach
• Strategize and create online campaigns to engage and grow email and broadcast text lists of hospitality workers and allies
• Organize, maintain, and update databases, websites, content libraries, and archives
• Work with UNITE HERE members, organizers, community allies and elected leaders to move campaigns forward through organizing, leading actions, and doing political work as needed

Qualifications:

• Strong interpersonal/organizing skills
• Passion for, and commitment to, fighting for workers’ rights
• Experience in field organizing or political campaigns
• Experience in media relations, communications, or marketing
• Ability to write concisely, clearly, and quickly with minimal editorial oversight or copyediting
• Ability to learn new databases, online platforms, etc. relatively quickly
• BA degree or relevant communications and/or activist experience
• Proficient with Microsoft Word/Excel
• Experience with creative media production in one or more of the following areas: web development, graphic design, photography or video production/editing
• Experience using Adobe Creative Suite software (Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign) or Final Cut Pro a plus
• Spanish required; other language skills highly desired
• Reliable car and driver’s license

To Apply:
Please send your résumé to: slyons@unitehere1.org.

This is a full-time position based in Chicago, IL. Salary for this position is $53,000 and includes excellent health and retirement benefits.

Women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

UNITE HERE Local 1 is an equal opportunity employer and gives equal consideration to all applicants without regard to sex, age, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.