Your elected bargaining team has begun the groundwork required to negotiate your first union contract (Collective Agreement). Our division—CAAT Academic Part Time and Sessional— will need to get members educated and engaged in bargaining in order to win a strong first contract. To build this bargaining power, we are looking for member organizers. The key objectives of this organizing work include outreach to part-time and sessional members, and to identify natural leaders within college departments and areas.
We are bargaining our first contract in a time of unprecedented cuts to our public education system. Members need to understand the crisis of the college system, and the importance of banding together to win together. The Organizer’s primary role is to have 1-on-1 conversations with members to educate them on the current landscape and to get them plugged into bargaining. You may also be working with local leaders to map their membership, and increase member engagement with the union. This work involves both remote activities (conducted via phone and online meetings) and in-person tasks and meetings, all coordinated with Local leaders and/or other OPSEU/SEFPO staff.
Members organizers on union leave are usually booked-off their usual work and continue receiving their regular pay. This is a way to secure members’ time so they can devote it to building their union. These positions will receive remuneration akin to a union leave.
Primary Duties:
- Engage, inspire, and organize part-time and sessional members at colleges assigned to you.
- Build comprehensive member lists to help map workplaces.
- Identify, recruit, and support part-time and sessional member leaders in assigned college(s).
- Lead and organize phone banks, as well as coordinated in-person activities to find and recruit potential member leaders.
- Track and record organizing progress in digital databases.
- Build relationships with existing and potential allies towards strategic goals.
- Maintain consistent communication with the OPSEU/SEFPO staff assigned to the Part-time/Sessional Division.
- Attend regular meetings with OPSEU/SEFPO staff.
- Adhere to the OPSEU/SEFPO Statement of Respect, Policies, and the Constitution.
- Represent OPSEU/SEFPO with integrity, diplomacy, and professionalism.
Qualification/Criteria:
- OPSEU/SEFPO members in good standing.
- Preference will be given to current or recent Academic Part-Time/Sessional members, but all OPSEU/SEFPO members are welcome to apply.
- Enthusiastic about talking to members and engaging them on issues, in person, by phone, or online.
- Access to a phone and stable internet required.
- Data management skills (working with data sheets in Google Sheets and PDFs) are required.
- Maintain organized and detailed records of their work.
- Technological competencies are required, including proficiency in Microsoft Office, Zoom, Google shared tools, and Microsoft Teams. Other digital tools may be used, although training will be provided.
- Ability to be fluid and dynamic with changing priorities to meet strategic needs.
- Take initiative to work independently and engage in a team environment.
- Preferably have access to a vehicle and be comfortable with travel for work (less important in cities with good transit).
- Geographic coverage will be a key determinant factor to facilitate outreach.
- French (and other) language skills are considered an asset.
- Interest is paramount. While campaigning or organizing experience may be helpful, it is not a requirement. Training will be provided.
We encourage all candidates from equity-deserving groups to self-identify on your application, as OPSEU/SEFPO has a commitment to equity and diversity.
Duration
Hours: flexible based on candidate’s preference. Part-Time (minimum 10 h/week) up to Full-Time (35 h/week). Full-Time commitment is preferred.
Expense coverage:
Certain expenses will be covered subject to approval by OPSEU/SEFPO Political Action and Education Division (PAED)