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Alumni Spotlight, Home, Labor Studies, Murphy News

Alumni Achievement: Mia Ragozino, Union Organizer

On January 28th, following 10 months of failed negotiations, nearly 8,000 employees of Swedish Health Services, all members of SEIU 1199 Northwest—a union representing more than 30,000 nurses and healthcare workers throughout Washington State and Montana—walked out on a three-day strike. Right there on the picket lines with them was SLU alumna Mia Ragozino.

Ragozino, who earned her Masters in Labor Studies in 2019, recently joined SEIU 1199NW as an organizer. “SEIU 1199 was a good fit for me,” said Mia. “It’s an organizing union with a racial justice lens and a concernfor workers’ safety.” She said the strike was a last resort in the union’s fight for not just fair compensation, but for adequate staffing and patient safety. “Since corporate giant Providence took over the Swedish healthcare system, management has prioritized profits and executive pay over patients’ needs and workers’ rights.” She noted that three presidential candidates had tweeted in support of the walk-out, including Senators Sanders, Warren, and Pete Buttigieg.
Mia says her learning experiences at SLU prepared her well for her current role. “SLU prioritizes the education of people and workers of color. And learning about the history of the labor movement was a huge eye-opener for me.” After SLU, Mia attended Cornell ILR’s summer institute for strategic corporate research. While there, she learned about the job with SEIU 1199NW.
Mia credits Professor Stephanie Luce with not only inspiring her, but for recommending her for the position in Seattle. “She was a role model for me,” said Mia, “and she helped me get started in the career I always wanted to pursue. It all came together at SLU.”
Professor Luce returned the compliment: “It was a joy to have Mia as a student,” she said. “Her energy and passion for social justice inspired other students as well as me. Given her sharp mind and research skills, SEIU 1199NW is lucky to have her!”
Read more about the SEIU 1199 healthcare workers’ strike here.
Labor and Community Job Opportunities

New York New Jersey Regional Joint Board Seeks Organizer (Mandarin-Speaking)

Labor Organizer

The New York New Jersey Regional Joint Board, Workers United a/w SEIU seeks an experienced organizer who views labor organizing through a social justice lens. S/he must be deeply connected to issues such as workplace fairness, immigration, racial justice, education, and housing rights, for example. As an organizer at the Joint Board, you would be part of a team working with nail salon workers, retail, manufacturing, and garment workers in NY and its surrounding areas. Our current membership consists of workers from nearly every continent who speak many languages but are united through the fight for justice in their workplaces and communities. Our ideal candidate is an experienced, creative, driven, and hard-working organizer who is skilled at and excited by facilitating the empowerment of workers while forming a Union.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated commitment to the labor movement and social justice.

• Minimum of three years’ experience organizing as part of a labor union or community organization.

• Ability to work independently and collectively. • Ability to set reasonable, achievable goals with timelines.

• Ability to carry out work and accomplish tasks within agreed upon timelines.

• Experience with and enthusiasm for working with people from diverse backgrounds

• Strong listening and relational skills.

• Demonstrated ability to reflect on and learn from interpersonal relationships.

• Demonstrated independence of judgment within an organizing context.

• Ability to analyze and articulate an assessment of the Union’s organizing practices within the labor movement and community.

• Ability to communicate effectively with workers verbally and in writing.

• Attention to detail and follow-through.

• Willingness to work on nights and weekends according to the needs of the campaign and within the limits set forth in the staff Union contract.

• Fluency in Spanish or Mandarin, including reading, writing, and speaking is required. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Building relationships of trust with individual workers.

• Identifying, recruiting, and facilitating the development of worker activists to lead and guide union organizing campaigns.

• Facilitating the formation of worker organizing committees that are effective in the overall strategy of union organizing campaigns.

• Conducting worker meetings either one-on-one or in group settings.

• Motivating workers to take action.

• Providing accurate assessments of workers’ commitment to an organizing campaign and their ability to carry out tasks related to the campaign.

• Identifying and building solidarity with community allies.

• Providing input into the development of campaign strategies during all phases of the campaign.

• Probing identified targets.

• Maintaining accurate lists, records, wall charts and updating the database.

• Coordinating workplace actions.

• Working effectively with the organizing team and the Joint Board staff.

Salary & Benefits

Salary is commensurate with experience. This is a full-time position within the bargaining unit. The New York New Jersey Regional Joint Board is a staff Union shop that provides a strong and competitive salary and benefits package. We are especially interested in applications from qualified candidates who are also women, immigrants, gender non-conforming people, and/or people of color. Please email cover letter and resume to LGomez@workersunitednynj.org

Labor and Community Job Opportunities, Opportunities

Citizen Action of New York Seeks Community Organizer (Kingston, NY)

Join the fight for social, economic, environmental and racial justice!

Citizen Action of New York is one of the fastest-growing statewide grassroots organizations in the country. We fight for social, racial, environmental and economic justice, and an America that works for all of us. Our organizing campaigns focus on issues such as jobs, education, health care, campaign finance reform, progressive taxation, and consumer issues. We have won significant improvements in New Yorkers’ lives, and we have elected progressive candidates to office.

We are currently seeking an ORGANIZER to focus on a jobs and minimum wage campaign in the Hudson Valley office, located in Kingston, New York.

Responsibilities include:

  • Conceptualize and implement a variety of campaigns and projects
  • Recruit, coordinate, and supervise volunteers and interns
  • Attract and recruit prospective dues paying members
  • Implement workshops and other training opportunities to develop leadership skills
  • Cultivate relationships with current and potential coalition partners
  • Act as the organizations’ spokesperson when needed
  • Coordinate press conferences
  • Help maintain a growing database of members, prospects, coalition partners, and media contacts

The candidate should have the following experience, skills, and attributes:

  • Minimum 2 years experience recruiting and organizing people to work on campaigns and/or projects
  • Proven ability to work independently and without on-site supervision
  • Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and work under tight deadlines
  • Proven ability to work with people of varying ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic backgrounds
  • Good written and verbal communication skills
  • Good public speaking skills
  • Strong organizational skills
  • Strong interpersonal skills
  • Basic computer skills
  • Spanish-speaking ability a plus

How to Apply: Please provide a resume and cover letter to Rosemary Rivera, Deputy Organizing Director, by email at jobs@citizenactionny.org, indicating the position you are applying for (“HV Organizer”) in the subject of your email. Resumes accepted through January 8 , 2016 or until position is filled. Salary commensurate with experience. As a racial justice organization, people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

Labor and Community Job Opportunities, Opportunities

Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation Seeks Full-Time Tenant Organizer

Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation (CHLDC) is a not-for-profit community development organization serving 8,000 residents a year through a comprehensive array of housing preservation, economic development, community organizing and youth and family support services programs and projects. With community residents leading the way, the mission of Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation is to build a strong, sustainable Cypress Hills/East New York, where youth and adults achieve educational and economic success, secure healthy and affordable housing and develop leadership skills to transform their lives and community.

Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation has an opening for one (1) Tenant Organizer to work in the Community Organizing and Advocacy division. This position exempt position.

Principal Duties:

  • Conduct outreach, survey buildings and individual apartments and, in the process, engage tenants to work together to solve repair and safety issues.
  • Complete HPD building surveys.
  • Hold regular meetings with tenants to identify and prioritize issues (e.g. repairs, unresponsive management or landlords, shoddy maintenance, breach of rent-stabilization regulations).
  • Create and facilitate regular workshops specific to housing rights,
    responsibilities, laws and processes.
  • Link tenants to the neighborhood-wide re-zone campaign and city-wide campaigns for affordable housing.
  • Demonstrate commitment to leadership development, community building, and community organizing as strategies for social change.
  • Provide monthly narratives and statistical reports on work accomplished.
  • Report to Director of Community Organizing and Advocacy.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Position Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s Degree preferred, but not required
  • Be fluent in Spanish
  • Be able to work in a fast-paced environment
  • Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Be detail-oriented
  • Be comfortable facilitating meetings and leading workshops
  • Be willing to work flexible hours

CYPRESS HILLS LOCAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER AND IS COMMITTED TO WORKPLACE DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION.

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We promote recognition and respect for individual and cultural differences, and we work to make our employees feel valued and appreciated, whatever their race, gender, background, or sexual orientation.

We offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a pleasant working environment. Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and commensurate with experience.

EOE Minorities/Women/Disabled/Veterans

How to apply
Forward cover letter, resume, and three (3) references to Director of Community Organizing and Advocacy at: JuliaW@cypresshills.org. Three (3) written and signed reference letters will be required if chosen for the position.

Labor and Community Job Opportunities, Opportunities

The Coalition for Economic Justice Seeks Organizer (Buffalo, NY)

The Coalition for Economic Justice in Buffalo, NY is seeking a full-time organizer.

Background:
The Coalition for Economic Justice’s (CEJ) mission is to unite our member labor, faith, and community organizations and activist with allies and resources to win campaigns that promote economic justice for all through building strong, diverse, sustainable communities. Our current campaigns are the fight for $15, Industrial Development Authority Reform, and High Road Economic Development.

Responsibilities:

  • Campaign support: Under supervision of Executive Director, develop and implement campaign strategy and coordinate coalition campaign work;
  • Internal organizing: Strengthen participation of member groups in coalition campaigns and activities;
  • Mobilization: Maintain and grow mobilization structure and coordinate coalition leaders, staff, and volunteers in mobilizing member groups and activist base for coalition actions and events.
  • Coalition building: Work with Executive Director and coalition leadership to reach out to allies and recruit new organizations and individual activists to Coalition for Economic Justice through one-on-ones, presentations, tabling, and other outreach activities.
  • Communications: Be responsible, along with the Executive Director, for outreach to press outlets as well new media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, Instagram etc.
  • Fundraising: Work with coalition leadership, staff and volunteers to develop and implement grassroots fundraising activities, including maintenance of fundraising lists, direct mail, and fundraising events.
  • Support and Supervision for Interns: With Executive Director, support and supervise interns.

Qualifications:

  • Organizing experience, including experience developing and implementing campaigns;
  • Strong commitment to and understanding of worker justice and the labor movement;
  • Ability to mobilize grassroots support and build diverse partnerships;
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills;
  • Ability to maintain a database and use basic computer programs, including Microsoft Word and Excel, and willingness to learn other needed computer programs.
  • Proficiency in Spanish a plus.
  • Experience with popular education and/or media work a plus.

Term of employment: We are seeking someone to start as soon as possible. Position will be permanent, pending a 90 day probation period. The candidate needs to have a valid driver’s license and working vehicle.

Hours: Monday through Friday, may include Saturdays and some Sundays, some weekends, and evenings

Direct Supervisor: Executive Director

Compensation: $31,000 – $38,000 a year, depending on experience; fully paid health and dental benefits.

Please send a resume and cover letter to Kirk@CEJBuffalo.org with CEJ Organizer in the title to Rev. Kirk Laubenstein
For more information, please contact Rev. Kirk Laubenstein at 716-892-5877 or Kirk@CEJBuffalo.org

CEJ is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage people of color, women, LGBTQ, and differently-abled people to apply.

Labor and Community Job Opportunities, Opportunities

Organizer with ACLU-NJ

The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey (ACLU-NJ) is hiring an Organizer dedicated primarily to coordinating and implementing the organization’s campaign to reform policing practices in Newark, Newark Communities for Accountable Policing (N-CAP). In addition, the Organizer may also work on other priority ACLU-NJ issues. The position is full time and reports to the Public Policy Director.

Founded in 1960, the ACLU of New Jersey is the state’s leading organization dedicated to defending and advancing civil liberties and civil rights. Whether in the courts, legislatures, or in communities, the ACLU-NJ fights on a daily basis for criminal justice reform, free speech, racial justice, privacy, immigrants’ rights, reproductive rights, religious freedom, due process, LGBT rights, drug law reform and voting rights. With tens of thousands of members, activists, and supporters, the ACLU-NJ works in every corner of our state to defend the principle that every individual’s rights must be protected equally under the law, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability or national origin.

The ACLU-NJ is headquartered in Newark, New Jersey. Our staff consists of 16 full-time staff members plus a number of regular in-office volunteers and interns.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and encourage women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals to apply.

ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN

Newark communities have struggled with issues of police misconduct and a lack of transparency and accountability since the 1960s. Whether by unconstitutional stop-and-frisk practices, excessive force or a broken internal discipline system, the Newark Police Department (NPD) has routinely violated the rights of the residents they are sworn to serve and protect. The NPD has also failed to hold itself accountable for this misconduct and abuse. As a consequence, community safety pays the price.

Newark Communities for Accountable Policing (N-CAP) is a movement to build a respectful, accountable, and transparent Newark Police Department. N-CAP works for reforms that promote community safety and lead to community policing practices that uphold and respect the human and constitutional rights of all Newarkers.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Devising and implementing advocacy strategies to accomplish the Newark policing reform campaign goals;
  • Organizing and conducting public engagement events, including forums, panels, rallies, trainings, lobby visits, public hearings, and other public presentations;
  • Building, facilitating, and overseeing day-to-day administrative support of the N-CAP coalition;
  • Conducting know-your-rights trainings for youth and community groups;
  • Recruiting, training, and managing an active community volunteer and mobilization program to support the campaign goals;
  • Lobbying local lawmakers;
  • Representing the ACLU-NJ and N-CAP at coalition and organizing meetings;
  • Drafting content for ACLU-NJ and N-CAP websites, as well as social media, fact sheets, e-mails, reports, training materials, and other advocacy materials;
  • Conducting research and staying up-to-date on developments in police accountability news, policy, and the national reform movement;
  • Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience in organizing or social justice advocacy; experience working in/building coalitions preferred;
  • Demonstrated passion for racial justice and police accountability work;
  • Demonstrated experience designing or managing issue-based or political campaigns;
  • Familiarity with Newark communities and politics preferred
  • Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with diverse staff, coalitions and community groups, and to recruit and motivate volunteers;
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills, including public speaking skills;
  • Ability to work independently and keep organized in a fast-paced environment, manage several projects simultaneously, meet deadlines, and adjust strategy to frequently changing demands;
  • Experience using social media as an advocacy tool;
  • Strong organizational skills and ability to maintain orderly records;
  • Outgoing personality and sense of humor;
  • Proficiency with MS Office and popular social media platforms, including Facebook and Twitter;
  • Ability to sometimes work irregular hours, including evenings and weekends;
  • Ability to travel within the state, and a valid driver’s license;
  • Proficiency in Spanish (preferred but not required).

JOB DESCRIPTION

A full and printable job description is available here. (PDF)

COMPENSATION

The ACLU-NJ offers a comprehensive compensation and benefits package, commensurate with experience and within parameters of the ACLU-NJ compensation scale. Excellent benefits include paid vacation, sick time and holidays; medical, vision and dental insurance for staff members, their dependents and spouse; life and long-term disability insurance; and 401(k) plan with employer match.

TO APPLY

To apply, complete the form below. Application materials sent via postal mail, e-mail or fax will not be accepted. No calls please. Resumes reviewed upon receipt. Position will remain open until filled.

The ACLU-NJ is an equal opportunity employer, and is committed to a policy of equal treatment and opportunity without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, nationality, ancestry, age, sex (including pregnancy), familial status, marital status, domestic partnership or civil union status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, genetic information, liability for military service, and mental or physical disability, perceived disability, and AIDS and HIV status.