Writers Guild of America, East
WGAE

Business Agent
Non-Fiction and Collective Bargaining

Based in New York City, NY

 

Introduction and Job Overview:
The Writers Guild of America East, AFL-CIO (WGAE or the Guild) is a labor union of more than 7,000 members who write or create content for motion pictures, scripted television, broadcast news, digital media, podcasts, and non-fiction television. The WGAE negotiates, administers and enforces contracts protecting the creative and economic rights of its members; organizes those who are not organized; provides a range of programs and services for members including panel discussions, seminars, social gatherings, training sessions, and events on issues of interest to writers; presents writers’ views to various bodies of governments, and much more.

The Non-Fiction Department organizes and represents creative professionals working in non-fiction television, at outlets such as Sharp Entertainment, Radical Media, and Lucky 8. The Collective Bargaining Department negotiates first contracts and successor agreements for Guild members, primarily but not exclusively for the Guild’s journalism shops, including MSNOW, CBS, Vox, and Huffington Post.

Reporting to the Deputy Organizing Director for Non-Fiction and the Director of Collective Bargaining, the Business Agent will serve as a negotiator and contract representative for journalism and non-fiction contracts. The Business Agent will be responsible for successfully negotiating collective bargaining agreements, leading contract campaigns, and managing contract administration for assigned shops. The Business Agent will be expected to serve as a lead for other staff when necessary.

Pay Range and Benefits:
The WGAE provides competitive compensation and an excellent benefits package and perks. This position is a bargaining-unit position with United Steelworkers Local 318.

Salary range is $105,216.87 – $119,000. The advertised pay scale reflects the good faith minimum and maximum salary range for this role and is not a promise of a particular wage for any specific employee. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may be dependent on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, education, special qualifications and other factors.

Excellent benefits package including, but not limited to, medical, dental, vision and life insurance, defined benefit pension plan, 401(k) savings plan and considerable paid time off including vacation, disability/sick leave and holidays.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Lead negotiations and contract campaigns in journalism and non-fiction sectors with a member-led, organizing approach to collective bargaining. Recruit, train, and work with bargaining committee members and contract action team members.
• Work as part of a bargaining team for large contract campaigns.
• Administer collective bargaining agreements in the non-fiction sector, particularly working to sign up new members, conduct union orientation and trainings, and enforce essential contract provisions. Serve as a team leader in administering non-fiction contracts.
• Ensure consistent and professional communication with representative committees and full bargaining units to inform and organize Guild shops.
• Evaluate possible violations of the collective bargaining agreements through interpretation of the WGAE agreements.
• Represent members in disciplinary meetings.
• Answer member questions regarding their rights under WGAE collective bargaining agreements and applicable law.
• File grievances in accordance with the WGAE collective bargaining agreements. Resolve grievances through both settlement discussion and member engagement and pressure.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements/Qualifications:

• At least five years of successful union experience in organizing, collective bargaining and contract administration.
• Demonstrated experience leading negotiations and contract campaigns, as well
• as the ability to plan and coordinate work actions. Experience moving workers to get involved with a union.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and recognize priorities.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with co-workers and Guild members.
• Ability to work independently, in a supporting role, and as part of a team.
• Research skills sufficient to prepare for negotiations, develop workplace strategies, and plan organizing activities
• Professional demeanor and ability to interact comfortably with a wide range of staff, members, various levels of management, and people outside the union.
• Willingness and ability to work long and irregular hours and weekends.

To Apply:
All résumés and cover letters must be sent to humanresources@wgaeast.org with subject line “Business Agent”. As part of this commitment, WGAE will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If a reasonable accommodation is needed in this process, please contact humanresources@wgaeast.org.

The WGAE is an equal opportunity employer fully dedicated to achieving a diverse staff. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and expression and sexual orientation), disability status, weight, height, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. People of color are strongly encouraged to apply.