International Union of Operating Engineers Local 501

Business Agent, Labor Relations & Academic Affairs Advisor

Based in Los Angeles, CA

 

Business Agent, Labor Relations & Academic Affairs Advisor
IUOE Local 501
Los Angeles, CA 

To Apply:
Send résumés to: hiring@local501.org.

Pay: Up to $120,000 a year

Job type: Full-time

Shift and schedule

• Extended hours
• Weekends as needed
• Evenings as needed

 
Union Business Agent Full Job Description
Business Agent, Labor Relations & Academic Affairs Advisor (Business Agent) represent union members, protect their contractual rights, and act on behalf of the local union with employers, members, and the public. Appointed or hired by the Business Manager, they carry out the local union’s responsibilities within its assigned craft jurisdiction and geographic area.

Core responsibilities include contract administration, grievance handling, member representation, organizing, leadership development, political and community engagement, and clear communication with members and stakeholders.

Primary Responsibilities

• Represent members in grievances, complaints, disciplinary matters, and workplace concerns.
• Apply collective bargaining agreements, union bylaws, policies, safety requirements, and applicable laws to protect members’ rights.
• Participate in or support contract negotiations, including preparation, committee coordination, and communication with members.
• Maintain consistent communication with members, stewards, union leadership, employers, and community partners.
• Organize meetings, prepare correspondence, reports, newsletters, bulletins, and other member communications.
• Recruit, train, and support stewards, committee members, and emerging local union leaders.
• Mobilize members for contract campaigns, organizing efforts, legislative action, and union events.
• Build relationships with elected officials, labor councils, allied organizations, and community partners to advance worker interests.

Education and Training

• Candidates must possess a strong educational and professional background in institutional administration, law, labor relations, or a closely related field.
• Experience working within labor organizations, educational institutions, apprenticeship and training programs, nonprofit organizations, or similarly structured institutions is highly desirable.

Working Conditions

• Business Agents work varied and often extended hours, including evenings, weekends, travel, and periods of high demand during negotiations, organizing campaigns, and member representation. The role requires self-direction, sound judgment, strong communication skills, leadership, and the ability to manage multiple priorities.

Duties

• Under the direction of the Business Manager, the Business Agent investigates, prepares, and processes member grievances and workplace complaints; supports contract enforcement; and assists members with labor-related concerns.
• Represent members in accordance with collective bargaining agreements and union procedures.
• Investigate workplace issues and prepare grievance or complaint documentation.
• Support contract negotiations, implementation, and enforcement.
• Conduct or participate in internal and external organizing campaigns.
• Recruit members for legislative, electoral, and labor-community activities.
• Develop productive relationships with elected officials, labor organizations, employers, and community allies.
• Communicate effectively through letters, reports, newsletters, bulletins, and other written materials.
• Use sound judgment in complex or sensitive situations.

Leadership Development

• Identify, recruit, train, and support members for steward, negotiating committee, and other leadership roles.
• Create opportunities for member involvement that align individual skills with union goals.
• Work with existing leaders to strengthen representation, communication, and accountability.
• Help establish self-sustaining leadership structures at worksites and within the local union.

Member Mobilization

• Engage members in collective action, organizing campaigns, contract campaigns, and union events.
• Build and maintain member communication networks using appropriate contact methods.
• Share timely information with members, stewards, leadership, and staff regarding grievances, campaigns, and other union matters.
• Encourage member participation in meetings, community events, labor councils, and political or legislative efforts as assigned.

Other Duties

• Business Agents may also be expected to participate in organizing campaigns, political campaigns, labor council activities, coalition-building, steward training, and other assigned work that supports the local union’s mission.

Requirements and Qualifications

• Ability to read, understand, interpret, and apply collective bargaining agreements, safety and building codes, company policies, union bylaws, and constitutional provisions.
• Strong analytical, written, verbal, interpersonal, and public-speaking skills.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse members, stewards, officers, employers, community partners, and labor organizations.
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice, the labor movement, and member advocacy.
• Basic computer proficiency, including Microsoft Word, email, and internet-based tools.
• Ability to organize work independently, manage multiple priorities, maintain a flexible schedule, travel as needed, and work evenings or weekends when required.
• Self-motivated, dependable, and able to exercise discretion and sound judgment.

Compensation & Benefits
The position offers a competitive annual salary in addition to a comprehensive employer-funded benefits package:

• Annual Salary: Est. $120,000
• Health & Welfare Benefits: Est. $18,500 — includes medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• Central Pension Fund: Est. $26,700
• General Pension Fund: Est. $18,000
• Annuity Plan: Est. $13,400
• Additional Employer-Funded Benefits & Fringe Benefits: including vacation, sick leave, personal time, auto allowance, and other applicable benefits
• Total Compensation Package: Est. $210,000 annually

All compensation and benefit amounts shown are estimates and are subject to applicable plan provisions, eligibility requirements, and other terms and conditions.

Application Question(s):

• Do you have Labor Relations and Negotiations experience?
• Do you have Organizing experience?
• Substantial Union experience?
• Do you have Union Leadership experience?
• Do you have Relationship Building experience with Elected Officials?

Experience: Trade and Management: 5 years (Required)

Language: English and Spanish (Required)

Security clearance: Confidential (Required)

Willingness to travel: 100% (Required)

Work Location: In person