About the organization:

UNITE HERE Local 274 is the union that welcomes you to Philadelphia and the surrounding region, representing 4,000 private sector hotel and food service workers who work at the stadiums, airports, and hotels. We serve the food, hold the door, carry the bags, clean the rooms, and wash the laundry. Our membership is diverse. We are predominantly women and people of color, and we hail from all corners of the planet. We’re fighting to end poverty-creating jobs and for Black, Brown, immigrant and all hospitality workers to lead in building an economy that works for all Pennsylvanians.

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About the position

This apprenticeship will train you on basic and advanced organizing skills through shadowing and close work with a Lead Organizer or Organizing Director. You will learn to organize people to stand up for their rights and build worker-led committees to take on multinational corporations. Your work will include leadership identification, recruiting workers to the committee, and mobilizing members to participate in pickets, strikes, civil disobedience and other actions. This is a 3 month apprenticeship with the potential of a permanent position at the end of 3 months, but it is not guaranteed.

Location

Eastern PA, including Philadelphia. Already living in the eastern PA area is preferred, but we will consider exceptional candidates who do not already live in commuting distance.

Travel

This position requires extensive travel in the Philadelphia area.

Reports to

Organizing Director or Lead Organizer

Supervises

N/A

Job Responsibilities

• Build one-on-one relationships with workers;
• Identify, recruit and develop worker leaders;
• Conduct individual and group meetings with workers to move organizing campaigns forward;
• Engage, motivate and mobilize workers;
• Plan and carry out actions and events to support worker organizing efforts;
• Develop a basic understanding of labor law and regulations affecting union organizing;
• Help workers tell their stories through public speaking, video, social media, and other communications.  

What are we looking for?

• A strong, demonstrated commitment to racial, social, labor, gender, and economic justice;
• 1-2 years of basebuilding organizing experience, paid or unpaid;
• Ability and willingness to work long and irregular hours, including nights and weekends;
• Comfort speaking and having one on one conversations with potential or current members;
• Excellent verbal communication skills and the ability to communicate with people from diverse backgrounds;
• Comfort traveling to worksites and doing worker outreach alone;
• Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision;
• Computer and basic social media literacy;
• Valid U.S. driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle;
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment;
• Knowledge of labor law, the bargaining process, and/or union regulations preferred, but not required;
• Fluency in one of the following languages preferred but not required: Spanish, Bangla, Amharic, Albanian, Arabic, French or Haitian Creole.

Salary

$885/week

Benefits

• UNITE HERE Health plan (excellent union health insurance package)

The work schedule can at times be greater than 40 hours per week and includes evening and weekend meetings and events, as necessary. It is not a strictly 9am-5pm position.

Because this is not a permanent position, UNITE HERE Local 274 is unable to sponsor work visas. All applicants must have prior authorization to work in the U.S.

UNITE HERE Local 274 is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, LGBT people, and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.