University Professional & Technical Employees
CWA Local 9119

General Counsel

Based in San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, or Sacramento, CA preferred
(other locations in California considered)

 

Job Title: General Counsel
Location: San Francisco Bay Area Sacramento, CA, Los Angeles
Starting Salary: Dependent on Experience

University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE-CWA 9119) is searching for a talented, hard-working individual committed to building a powerful and democratic union. The successful candidate for this position will be values-driven, self-motivated and resourceful, with the skills, experience, and enthusiasm to develop the Union’s legal and representational program to support our Union’s work throughout California. This position works with staff and leadership in the overall development and implementation of UPTE’s strategic, organizational plans, while embracing UPTE’s principles, values, and culture.

UPTE-CWA represents more than 18,000 employees working in healthcare, research and technical jobs at the University of California, Lawrence Berkeley Lab, Lawrence Livermore Lab and Los Alamos National Lab as well as adjunct faculty at Butte Community College, College of Sequoias and Mount San Jacinto Community College. We represent a diverse workforce all over California and are working to build member power and aggressively represent our members and advocate for the rights of working people.

DUTIES:

• Develop and implement a Unionwide legal strategy and program. This includes legal and representation elements in support of key Union campaigns, including contract bargaining, internal and external organizing.
• Support contract negotiations, draft contract language, requests for information, and consult on bargaining strategy and accompanying legal strategies
• Develop and implement the Union’s external organizing legal strategies, including accretion filings at PERB, new bargaining unit formation, and transfer of work issues
• Develop and implement legal strategies to combat the employers’ anti-Union attacks
• Handle high priority arbitrations, statewide grievances, and other representational issues
• Consult on and oversee representation program and training for staff and member leaders statewide
• Coordinate with and assign Union work to outside legal counsel
• Support development of educational materials regarding members legal and representational rights, and limitations
• Supporting the Systemwide Director, provide support and counsel to member leaders and bargaining teams regarding strategic, representational, and bargaining issues
• Working with the Systemwide Director and Union leadership to help develop strategic plans for supporting major union priorities
• Provide other legal, bargaining, or organizational roles as needed
• Coordinate with UPTE staff and member leaders to aggressively advocate to protect UPTE members’ right to strike, take collective action and right to organize

REQUIREMENTS:

• Minimum of three years of experience as a practicing attorney in public sector labor law
• Trial law experience or interest in trial law, in preparation for running hearings, arbitrations, and more
• Graduation from law school with a J.D. degree and admission to practice in California.
• Extensive knowledge of HEERA, EERA, NLRA, PERB case law and administrative procedures, and other state and federal employment and labor law
• Ability to write in a clear compelling manner, and help frame campaign and union goals
• Strong analytical skills. Ability to understand complex issues, gather and assess information, identify campaign leverage, and develop strategic pressure points.
• Experience with research databases and methods.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to motivate and build strong working relationships and hold others accountable;
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to creating a positive work environment that encourages personal responsibility, initiative and innovation;
• Ability to thrive under sometimes stressful deadlines, and prioritize multiple competing priorities
• Proven ability to work with diverse group of people, from union members to union staff and leaders to elected officials to other community and issue stakeholders;
• Commitment to building a Militant, Progressive, and Democratic labor movement

Compensation: Starting salary range of $130,000-$150,000 commensurate with experience, and an excellent benefits package including a defined benefit pension, all university holidays, auto allowance, and flexible work arrangements.

To Apply:
Email: jobs@upte-cwa.org

Please include the following:

• A résumé with the months and years of employment for each position.
• A cover letter addressing your qualifications and ability to carry out the duties of the position as described above.

Position open until filled.