SEIU Local 32BJ

Bilingual New Jersey Grievance Representative

Based in Newark, NJ

 

ABOUT US:
At the forefront of building the nation’s labor movement, 32BJ SEIU is changing the narrative around important social and economic issues facing working families. Founded in 1934, 32BJ is the largest union of property service workers in the nation. We have a powerful and important mission: To build and grow a diverse, effective, politically independent and democratic organization of workers to change our lives for the better, improve our communities, and build a more just society for present and future generations.

With a commitment to building power for low-wage workers, 32BJ is engaged in winning strong contracts for members, organizing workers, supporting progressive candidates for elected office and moving a broad policy agenda, such as paid sick days, expanding access to health care and the Fight for $15.

The union has approximately 425 staff in sixteen offices from Boston to Miami. 32BJ SEIU represents over 175,000 property service workers including janitors, security officers, airport workers, and food service employees in 11 states and Washington, D.C. 32BJ is an affiliate of SEIU, the Service Employees International Union, which has 2 million members dedicated to raising industry standards and making life better for all working families and communities.

32BJ SEIU’s headquarters are in New York City.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Grievance Rep is tasked with managing a caseload of workplace issues and grievances for our New Jersey membership. This involves meeting with members, presenting workplace issues or grievances, answering contract questions and representing each member through a resolution process.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Managing a large caseload and processing grievances within contractually fixed time limits.
• Understanding and interpreting labor contracts and applying their terms to workplace issues and grievances.
• Working closely with the field reps for purposes of building investigations and fightbacks, reductions in force and company transitions.
• Meeting with employer representatives, union field representatives, union attorneys and other staff to investigate workplace issues.
• Developing and preparing cases for arbitration.
• Mediating workplace disputes.

Should Grievance Center work be integrated into field staff work, grievance reps will have the opportunity to transition into a field rep position.

QUALIFICATIONS:
The ideal candidate will be a persuasive advocate for the Union and its members, possess sophisticated and refined problem-solving skills, have the ability to mediate workplace disputes, and possess strong negotiation skills. Strong oral and written skills in English and Spanish are required.

While no one candidate will possess every quality outlined for this position, the successful candidate will bring many of the following professional skills and personal attributes:

• Bilingual in verbal and written Spanish and English is required.
• Ability and experience managing one’s time and work results.
• Strong computer skills and ability in adopting new technology tools.
• Effective listening skills.
• Experience working with a diverse membership.
• Ability to move workplace issues and grievances to resolution.
• Union representation experience preferred, but applicants with an interest in workers’ rights and relevant work experience (e.g., in social work, or paralegal) may be considered.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• This position will require work outside of core work/office hours to meet with members on all shifts, and to participate in Union events; and some weekends and holidays.
• This position is based in the Newark, New Jersey office.
• This position requires travel to worksites.
• Valid driver’s license and car with insurance required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• This position is primarily computer/office based, with many in-person and Zoom meetings.
• This position also requires traveling to worksites, other districts and participating in events, marches and demonstrations locally and union wide. Participation in marches and demonstrations, lasting 3-4 hours, is expected.
• This position requires the ability to transport and set up at least 15 lbs. of equipment, as well as navigating stairs.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:
The salary for this role is $64,833.14. 32BJ offers a generous benefits package that includes a fully employer-paid medical, dental and vision plan (for full-time employees and their qualified dependents) and retirement benefits, including a defined benefit pension plan and 401K. 32BJ offers paid time off including three weeks’ vacation, eleven holidays, twelve sick days, and, after the first anniversary of the date of hire up to four personal days prorated based on the calendar year and thereafter four personal days per calendar year.

APPLICATION:
Please send a résumé and letter of interest to: HR@seiu32bj.org. Please use “New Jersey Grievance Representative” in the subject line of your email.

Please note 32BJ has implemented a vaccine mandate. Bona fide religious and ADA exemptions are permitted with additional safety measures.

32BJ is an inclusive and diverse organization, committed to advocating for social, racial and economic justice. We promote diversity and strongly encourage applications from people who believe in our mission. We strongly encourage women and people of color to apply.

For more information on 32BJ SEIU, visit www.seiu32bj.org.