Council Representative

Who We Are:

AFSCME Colorado is a rapidly growing, public sector-focused union. As an affiliate of AFSCME International, we represent workers in counties, cities, and other governmental organizations. We help our members negotiate higher pay, secure retirement, and ensure a safe and dignified work environment. By joining our team, you will be signaling your commitment to fairness in the workplace, and justice for working people.

Purpose

This position works independently and as part of a team to engage, grow, and serve local membership.  Council representatives assist workers with workplace disputes, disciplinary hearings, and contract negotiations. They are responsible for motivating and mobilizing member participation through workplace meetings, political engagement, trainings and public actions, and bringing new members into the union. This position reports to the Director and Deputy Director of AFSCME Colorado and will serve members across the State of Colorado.

Primary Responsibilities

This position description may not include all of the specific duties and responsibilities required of this position.  The examples listed provide a general summary of the work required and should not be treated as a total and complete list of expected duties to be performed by employees in the classification.

• In conjunction with a council or local, assists stewards and other work site leaders in developing strategies for contract negotiations, contract campaigns, anti-privatization fights and other leading programs of the union.
• In coordination with the Director and Deputy Director of AFSCME Colorado (PEOPLE) and encouraging creation of strong organizing capacity at the council or local level.
• Communicates one-on-one with supporters, leaders and members and guides their activity on behalf of the union.
• May conduct negotiations, prepare CDLE and NLRB filings, handle arbitrations and grievances, and conduct labor management relations on behalf of a bargaining unit(s).
• Works with councils and locals to develop and implement internal organizing programs.
• Plans labor management relations with leadership of bargaining units.
• Communicates the union’s vision for building strength and achieving growth to members and leaders and guides their activity on behalf of the union.
• Performs duties associated with servicing and chartering new locals.
• Identifies and trains stewards and other work site leaders. Identifies and recommends potential volunteer organizers from within the AFSCME membership.
• Attends all local e-board and membership meetings
• Visits job sites to maintain member rapport and monitor worker attitudes.
• Conducts research, gathers information, and devises effective strategies for negotiating collective bargaining agreements, preparing for arbitrations and other servicing activities.
• Plans and participates in campaigns to defend local unions against decertification attempts. May act as Administrator of a local union, as assigned.
• Work is performed in a variety of employment settings. Driving, frequent travel, temporary assignments and extended work hours, nights, and weekends are required.
• Visits workers in their homes, at worksites and remotely as part of a union project.
• Performs related work as required, bilingual skills desirable.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Other Duties as assigned.

Directions and Decision Making

This position reports to the AFSCME Colorado Director and Deputy Director. May work under the guidance of another Representative.  Works independently but keeps supervisor & support staff regularly apprised of developments.

Education and Experience

High school diploma or equivalent, a minimum of three years of relevant organizing/servicing experience, or any combination of education and experience which provides the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Knowledge of organizing and servicing union members at a professional level
• Knowledge of labor unions and labor relations
• Knowledge of labor board proceedings and hearings
• Knowledge of computers and applicable software
• Ability to plan and coordinate work activities
• Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with employees and members
• Ability to conduct research and gather information for negotiations, arbitrations, strategy development and other servicing activities
• Ability to negotiate collective bargaining agreements
• Ability to develop persuasive written and graphic documents
• Ability to prepare CDLE and NLRB filings
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing
• Ability to effectively plan workers actions including strikes
• Bilingual skills desirable.

To apply: Send cover letter and resume  to Meredith Phillips at mphillips@afscme.org.