United Media Guild
TNG-CWA Local 36047

Administrative Officer

Based in St. Louis, MO

 

The St. Louis-based United Media Guild (The NewsGuild-CWA Local 36047) is seeking an Administrative Officer. This person will work alongside the current administrative officer until his retirement in late 2025.

Our Local has 18 units. We represent journalists at numerous newspapers in Missouri and Illinois, including the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and Kansas City Star, as well as Truthout, a national digital news operation. Our Local represents the staff at numerous social justice groups, including Missouri Jobs with Justice, Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, ACLU of Missouri and ACLU of Kansas. Our Local also represents SEIU staffers in our National Fast Food Workers Union unit. We are a financially strong Local with substantial reserves, approximately 250 dues-paying members, and the potential for additional growth. We are currently bargaining an initial contract for a unit with more than 80 members, and we are open to new organizing opportunities.

The administrative officer reports to our member-led executive committee. The local is seeking an accomplished leader who can collaborate with our current administrative officer as we transition to the future. Job duties include organizing new units, securing first contracts, bargaining successor agreements, aiding existing units with mobilization and capacity building, building public campaigns where necessary, and strengthening our alliances within The NewsGuild, CWA and regional labor communities.

SALARY:
This is a full-time salaried position. The range is $90,000 – $105,000 per year, depending on experience, with employer-provided health insurance. The Local will tailor a compensation package to the individual.

BENEFITS:

• Moving expenses.
• Flexible hours with some remote work possible.
• Four weeks of paid vacation.
• Holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, Employee’s Birthday.
• Paid sick leave.
• 401k.

JOB DUTIES:

• Work cooperatively with our member-driven executive committee in virtual monthly meetings.
• Build solidarity through member meetings and social gatherings.
• Strengthen existing units by identifying potential member organizers and bargaining leads.
• Assist unit leaders with mobilization and administration.
• Lead periodic training for stewards, member organizers and bargaining team members.
• Work with new and existing units to bargain contracts, virtually and/or in-person. Work with unit leaders to craft contract proposals and counterproposals.
• Work with members and employers to resolve workplace issues and enforce the contract.
• Represent members through the grievance process and work with attorneys to prepare for arbitration where necessary.
• Organize new units by seeking leads, developing member organizers, and collaborating with NewsGuild organizers.
• Work with the executive committee to develop a five-year plan for further growth.
• Coordinate internal and external UMG communication.
• Represent the UMG in regional and national labor and social justice coalition meetings.
• Advocate for diversity and inclusion.
• Work with the Local treasurer and accountant to manage incoming and outgoing funds, file tax and employment documents and draft an annual budget.
• Oversee the ongoing modernization of our office operation.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION:
At least 3-5 years of union experience is preferred. The UMG will consider applications from journalists or social justice workers who have steward, organizing, mobilizing and bargaining experience.

A bachelor’s degree is recommended.

TO EXPRESS INTEREST IN THIS OPENING:
Send an e-mail to UMG president Jeff Gordon at: jgordon@unitedmediaguild.org, with the following attachments: a résumé, a letter of interest in the position and a list of references.

Women and people of color are encouraged to apply.