SPANISH SPEAKING FIELD REPRESENTATIVE/SPANISH SPEAKING ORGANIZER

About the Organization:

UNITE HERE Local 25 is a growing union which represents over 8,000 hotel, food service and parking workers in the metropolitan DC area.  The Union’s Hotel and Food Service contracts provide some of the best benefits and strongest protections for hotel and food service workers in the country.  Following significant victories in citywide hotel contract fights in 2004 & 2007, Local 25 has established a reputation for aggressive and diligent representation of our members. 

In 2009, Local 25 organized the Gaylord National Harbor Hotel, winning union recognition and an outstanding first contract for 1,000 fulltime employees. 

In 2010, the Union will undertake the challenge of a citywide contract campaign for 4,500 hotel workers in the worst recession in recent memory.   Local 25 will be fighting to preserve and build on the economic standards and contractual rights that the Union has achieved over years of struggle.  In 2010 the Union will also be organizing new groups of food service workers and fighting for first contracts there.   Local 25 regularly receives inquiries from workers in DC Hotels who are interested in forming unions and it is a goal of the Union to have an organizing department with the capacity to support workers in multiple, simultaneous drives who are organizing with or without card check neutrality.   

Spanish Speaking Organizer and Field Representative Position

Local 25's organizing model is based on organizers working with non-union workers to inspire and challenge them to take on meaningful roles in their fight to win a Union.  Organizers execute campaign strategy and prepare workers for tough fights for union recognition and for contracts with meaningful improvements in wages, benefits and working conditions.   Field Representatives at Local 25 do not simply file and process grievances.  They work with union members – both longstanding and brand new -  to effectively enforce the Union’s contract through shop-floor militancy and developing the capacity of rank-and-file shop Leaders.  Both organizers and field representatives will have an opportunity to mobilize union members for a large, intense and active campaign ahead of the 2010 city-wide hotel contract expiration.  

Typical Duties Can Include:

• Building one-on-one relationships with workers
• Planning and running small group meetings with workers
• Representing members at the individual, departmental and shop-wide level to enforce their contractual rights
• Building the internal organizational structure of the Union inside a shop
• Identifying and recruiting workplace leaders to enforce the Union contract and organize their co-workers
• Mobilizing workers for shop floor confrontations with management, picket lines and strikes
• Recruiting members to participate in rallies and public actions
• Analyzing data for back pay claims
• Managing logistics for and staffing picket lines, rallies and other Union actions
• Maintaining accurate lists and records in the union's database

Qualifications:

Spanish language proficiency required

Also Required:

• Capability to motivate and inspire workers to take on and sustain difficult fights and struggles. 
• Ability to thoroughly investigate potential contract violations and to accurately report and document information
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work with and build relationships with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Attention to detail and diligence in your work.
• Willingness to work long hours and weekends.

Salary and Benefits

Salary commensurate with experience.  Benefits include employer-paid healthcare, dental, vision and pension. 

To Apply:  Women and people of color are encouraged to apply.  

Please send résumé and cover letter to jobs@local25now.org 

WHEN APPLYING: Be sure to indicate that you saw this information online at UNIONJOBS.COM. Do not just say the Internet.