Position: External Organizer
Background:
SEIU local 26 is a dynamic local of over 8000 janitors and security officers in Minnesota, the people who
clean and protect some of largest corporate headquarters in the world and who have a proud history of
militant fights for social and economic justice.
- Local 26 members were some of the first security officers in the country to go on strike and engaged in
acts of strategic civil disobedience to win their last contract, and struck again in 2013 to raise standards
within their industry across 2000 suburban and downtown officers.
- In 2016, 2020, and 2024 the janitors of the union, a multilingual bargaining unit made up of Latin
American, East African, and American-born workers, went on strike, and created an alliance with the
Sierra Club and other environmental allies to win a contract with some of the first Green Cleaning
language in the country, and later a green cleaning education fund.
Description:
This organizer will be a part of a team of external organizers for our union. May supervise brigades
(members on short term leaves of absence). Work site organizing experience with low income, diverse
workers, and computer skills, highly recommended.
Duties may include, but are not limited to:
- Building an extensive and comprehensive network of work site leaders into an organizing committee
in work sites that do not yet have a union; developing a member leadership program, working with
potential members to identify, train and develop rank and file leaders;
- Recruiting and mentoring of new leaders and activists; Engaging in one-on-one persuasion,
assessment and motivation of workers at the work site, in meetings, on the phone and on home visits
as necessary.
- Designing, preparing, and distributing meeting notices, flyers, newsletters, and other literature;
- Maintaining organizing lists and databases;
- Planning and coordinating actions to win immediate improvements in the work sites
- Mobilizing membership and ensuring turn-out for community, political and union events;
- Working collaboratively with other union staff in other skill areas
Pay and Benefits:
This is a position beginning in first quarter 2024. Pay is on a scale starting at $60,000. Healthcare and other
benefits are included. A car and valid driver’s license are required. Location: Minneapolis-Saint Paul
Metropolitan Area, Minnesota. Local 26 is an equal opportunity employer and, given our diverse
membership, we particularly encourage applications from women and people of color, and candidates from
our own membership.
Interested applicants should send resumes to bmendez@seiu26.org
