United Campus Workers Southeast
Communications Workers of America Local 3821

West TN Organizer

Based in Memphis, TN

 

United Campus Workers Background
United Campus Workers Southeast (UCWSE - Communications Workers of America Local 3821) is a regional union local in the southeast hiring for a West Tennessee organizer position. United Campus Workers was founded in Tennessee in 2000, when a core of campus workers, students and community allies launched an organizing drive for living wages and decent working conditions. Beginning with few resources outside of the workers’ initiative and student solidarity, we have continued building a wall-to-wall, non-majority union that includes full and part-time staff, faculty, and graduate workers coming together to fight for economic and social justice on campus and across Tennessee.

UCWSE is affiliated with Communications Workers of America (AFL-CIO, CLC) and has a current membership of over 2,200 faculty, staff, and graduate workers at Tennessee’s universities and community colleges. Despite not having union recognition, collective bargaining, payroll deduction, agency fee, or robust representation rights, UCWSE is punching far above our weight, increasing our membership while securing victories against well-heeled enemies. Our #TNisNotForSale campaign was successful in stopping Tennessee’s billionaire governor from privatizing thousands of higher education workers’ jobs. UCWSE members in Memphis were the first to raise their campus minimum wage to $15 an hour and have fought and won fully subsidized healthcare for graduate workers and a greater voice in university decision making.

UCWSE in Tennessee currently employs 3 full-time organizers, 4 organizing fellows, and a part-time office manager and part-time communications coordinator. UCWSE members are leaders in the struggle for human rights, dignity, respect and power in the South. Our staff organizers are responsible for recruiting and organizing new members, leading issue-based campaigns in the workplace, and leadership development. As a local affiliate of the international union Communications Workers of America, we also support CWA organizing campaigns within the union’s other core industries. This position will also assist with these organizing drives where appropriate.

On-the-job training for this position is provided, with potential travel to campaigns at various points of development across the state and region.
 
Job Responsibilities

• Recruit and organize new members at college campuses in West Tennessee, including University of Memphis, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, University of Tennessee at Martin, Southwest Tennessee Community College, Jackson State Community College, and LeMoyne Owen College
• Support organizing efforts at college campuses throughout the other states in the UCWSE region
• Establish organizing committees and work with existing members to build membership, support leadership development, initiate and complete campus-wide campaigns, support state-wide campaigns, and expand capacity
• Conduct worksite and home visits to recruit new members
• Develop and implement campaign plans to address workplace issues
• Participate in staff and membership meetings, statewide campaigns, and CWA campaigns

Requirements for this Job

• Ability to recruit new members
• Ability to build relationships through active listening and conversation
• Ability to work on a team as well as take individual initiative
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong commitment to social justice and the labor movement
• Ability to work an irregular schedule, including some nights and weekends
• Ability to build coalitions among diverse groups of people across job categories and the political spectrum
• Essential functions include significant walking, including stairs; prolonged standing; occasionally carrying materials or other containers weighing up to thirty pounds for significant distances; significant driving, including inter-city and night driving; frequent need to communicate in writing; frequent need to communicate via telephone; and regular computer use
• Driver’s license, reliable access to car, and ability to rent a car for out-of-area travel
• Knowledge of office and computer technology (Zoom, Google Suite, email, database programs, etc.)

Preferred Experience for this Job

• Previous union or community organizing experience
• Previous work history of supporting leadership development
• Previous legislative, lobbying, and/or policy advocacy experience
• Advanced knowledge of and experience with technology applications, website maintenance, basic design, social media, etc.
• Knowledge of Action Builder, Action Network, or similar campaign organizing software

Salary and Benefits:
UCWSE offers a starting salary of $50,000, health insurance, earned paid sick and vacation time, paid holidays, technology stipend, access to professional development funds, and paid rental car and meal allowance for work travel. This position has a six-month probation period. UCWSE is an equal opportunity employer. Union members, people of color, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals are encouraged to apply.

To Apply:
Any interested person should submit a cover letter, résumé, and contact information for 3 work (supervisor or coworker) references to:
hiring@ucw-cwa.org.

Reference could also be from an organizing lead or co-organizer from a volunteer campaign. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Contact Allison Becha, Lead Organizer, at allison@ucw-cwa.org with questions.