Labor Notes is a media and organizing project that has been the voice of union activists who want to put the movement back in the labor movement since 1979. Labor Notes’ reach is growing, and we are uniquely placed to encourage and shape a reviving, militant, bottom-up labor movement.

We’re now hiring for a full-time staff organizer position, with a focus on trainings and events. Women, Black people, Indigenous people, people of color, and LGBTQ+ people are strongly encouraged to apply.

Preference for applicants who can work out of our New York office (when we resume in-person work), or relocate to NYC, but applications from applicants based elsewhere will also be considered. Labor Notes staff is working remotely and is planning an office return in September.

Desired start date is ASAP.

What you’ll do:

As part of the training and events team, you will:

• Anchor our racial justice work: In collaboration with other staff and Labor Notes supporters, you will facilitate and develop materials on organizing around racial justice in the workplace and in unions. Racial justice is an organizational priority in our efforts to help forge a multiracial working-class movement. Recognizing this is a formidable task, this work might include building a team of facilitators, building relationships with Black workers and Black workers’ networks in particular, and contributing to multiracial organizing work across other program areas.
• Organize events: Coordinate online trainings, meetings, webinars, and (eventually) in-person events. These range from webinars on Black worker organizing to one-day mini-conferences, and responsibilities range from recruiting for attendance to coordinating lunch to facilitating workshops.
• Facilitate trainings: Lead organizing trainings on a variety of topics for a variety of groups.
• Develop new material: Work with other members of the training and events team to create new training materials and programming.

Since we are a small staff, we all play multiple roles in the organization’s planning and day-to-day functioning. As a Labor Notes organizer you will, among other tasks:

• Network with and recruit labor activists
• Write and solicit articles for Labor Notes
• Help organize Labor Notes’ biennial Conference
• Help maintain the project through fundraising
• Take an active part in determining the direction of the organization and its program

Requirements:

• You have experience in the labor movement—such as as a shop steward, elected officer, or staff organizer—or in closely related grassroots organizing.
• You’re strongly committed to rank-and-file unionism.
• You have experience with some of the following: facilitation, training, curriculum development, and labor education.
• You’re well-organized. You can keep track of your own responsibilities and calendar, and meet deadlines.
• You’re self-motivated and enthusiastic to learn. You enjoy taking initiative to solve problems.
• You have strong writing skills.
• You’re friendly, flexible, and good-humored.
• You enjoy working as part of a team and communicate well with co-workers.
• You have strong anti-racist politics within the context of the labor movement.

We’re also very interested in any other skills you may have. We’re a small staff on a big project, and we all wear multiple hats. Do you have expertise, experience, or talent that you think may be relevant? Let us know.

These could be things like:

• You’re a fluent speaker of Spanish or another language
• Experience with multiracial organizing in the labor movement
• Event organizing
• Union strategic and campaign planning
• Grassroots and foundation fundraising

Compensation: Salary is $61,800. Health-care benefits and vacation are provided.

We believe in a healthy work-life balance, and most work happens during regular office hours—but there are frequent evening organizing calls, weekend Troublemakers Schools, speaking trips, and demonstrations. Every other year, we have a few very busy months planning the Conference!

Women, Black people, Indigenous people, people of color, and LGBTQ+ people are strongly encouraged to apply.

How to Apply:
Please send resume to jobs@labornotes.org. In lieu of a cover letter, please answer the following questions:

1. Tell us about an organizing challenge you’ve faced and how you overcame it. Please provide a concrete example.
2. What does rank-and-file unionism mean to you? Can you describe how it has influenced your work as an organizer and provide an example?
3. How would you describe your approach to training and writing curriculum? What are some ideas, pedagogies, or people that have shaped your approach?
4. We are trying to support the forging of a multiracial working-class movement. What questions are you grappling with towards this goal? Can you give an example of how those questions have shown up in an organizing or training experience you’ve led?
5. Do you have a sample of your work you could share? A curriculum you wrote, a curriculum you taught and can reflect on, an article, etc.? Will accept most formats here: videos, links, etc.