INTERNATIONAL

BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS

AFL-CIO

MEMORANDUM

TO:           All Affiliates

FROM:    Jeff Farmer, Director of Organizing

Michael C. Murphy, Assistant Director and Special Counsel of Organizing

PATE:       July 18, 2002

RE:           Job Descriptions for Teamster Organizers

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ORGANIZERS

(Intern, Apprentice, Organizer, Lead Organizer, Coordinator and Project)

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters is the strongest and most influential union in the United States of America and Canada. Currently boasting 1.4 million members in industries ranging from transportation to healthcare to warehousing to public safety, the Teamsters are the only Union in the country that represents and organizes workers in every single sector and industry of the economy.

Always a leader in organizing the unorganized, our Union is are now rebuilding its Organizing Department to produce one of the most dynamic organizing programs in the labor movement today. The Teamsters seek only highly effective, energetic and committed organizers for this program. Teamster members will be the heart of the Teamster organizing program. We encourage your applications.

The Teamsters Organizing Department’s job development program includes the following order of positions: Organizing Intern, Apprentice Organizer, Organizer, Lead Organizer, Organizing Coordinator, and Project Organizer. In addition to those qualifications listed below, each of these positions requires that an applicant possess the following traits: commitment to trade union principles; excellent organization, Writing and communications skills; ability to work diligently and effectively with only minimal or intermittent supervision; strong work ethic; willingness and desire to work long hours; willingness to travel extensively.

Besides good salaries, Teamster Organizers enjoy one of the best Health, Welfare and Pension plans in the entire country. Positions are currently open in all parts of the country.

25 LOUISIANA AVENUE, N.W · WASHINGTON, D.C. 20001.2198 (202) 624-6800

Organizing Intern

Interns are committed to helping workers fight for justice on the job through the formation of collective bargaining units.

Qualifications:

·   Strong work ethic; must be self-motivating

·   Strong listening and communication skills

·   Willingness to work long hours and travel extensively

·   Demonstrated commitment to social justice

·   College Degree, OR three years in a Teamster position, OR five years in a Teamster-represented industry, OR any roughly equivalent combination thereof

·   The Intern position is intended as a temporary position, so most Interns can expect to be promoted as quickly as they develop the skills necessary for advancement to an apprenticeship.

Apprentice Organizer

Apprentices are considered Organizers in training. They have either (a) received favorable reviews as an Organizing Intern on Teamster organizing campaigns, or (b) have demonstrated experience working on other campaigns.

Qualifications:

·   Must satisfy those listed for Intern above

·   Demonstrated ability and willingness to work long hours and travel extensively

·   At least five months experience on organizing campaigns

·   Bilingual skills highly desirable

·   Demonstrated willingness to acquire the skills and training necessary to advance to position of Organizer

·   Apprentices are expected to work hard at developing the ~kills necessary to advance to the position of Organizer

International Organizer

Organizers are the heart of the Teamsters organizing program. They do most of the work on organizing campaigns. They possess a range of skills from ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups of workers to running spreadsheets on laptop computers while out in the field. Organizers are seasoned, tough-minded, work long hours and eagerly travel extensively. Organizers enjoy meeting new people from diverse backgrounds and traveling to new and interesting parts of the country.

Qualifications:

·   Must satisfy those listed above for Apprentice

·   Basic computer skills including the ability to: set-up spreadsheets in the field and e-mail them back to Headquarters; ability to draft and design leaflets in the field;

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ability to run basic computer programs as required, including Microsoft Word, Outlook Express, Web-Browser and spreadsheet programs.

·    Ability to file weekly reports assessing the state of current campaigns and identifying any new potential Organizing targets

·    Ability to mentor and/or supervise Interns and Apprentices

·    Demonstrated knowledge of organizing principles, union structure and labor movement history

·    Demonstrated experience in successful union organizing campaigns

·    Proven desire to refrain from becoming embroiled in Local Union politics

·    Organizers are viewed as frilly developed Teamster professionals. Advancement beyond the position of Organizer is wholly dependent on the skills and ambitions of the individual, but advancement to higher positions is neither expected nor demanded.

Lead Organizers

Lead Organizers are highly developed organizers who have acquired proficiency in a wide range of skills. Lead Organizers are self-motivating and skilled to such a high degree that they require only negligible supervision from the Director and Assistant Director. They are knowledgeable not only about Organizing Principles, labor union structure and labor laws but also about several, if not all, of the industries covered by Teamster contracts. Lead Organizers have worked on multiple successful campaigns, often with little supervision.

Qualifications:

·    Must satisfy those listed above for Organizer

·    Must have worked on a minimum of five (5) successful campaigns in a position of primary or secondary responsibility

·    Must have worked as an Organizer for a minimum of two years

·    Must account for and describe campaigns worked on

·    Must be able to use a computer in the field

·    Must be able to develop strategic campaign plans, set realistic staff goals, and file regular and detailed written reports to the Director/Assistant Director

·    Must be able to supervise, train and direct Interns, Apprentices and Organizers

·    Must be able to maintain excellent relationships with political and government personnel regardless of political party affiliations and/or views

·    Must possess the highest leadership skills as measured by the opinions of fellow organizers and Department Director and Assistant Director

·    Proven ability to refrain from becoming embroiled in Local Union politics

·    Proven ability to work cooperatively with Regional and/or Industry Coordinators (see below).

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Organizing Coordinators

Coordinators axe individuals uniquely suited to lead organizing efforts in a particular industry or geographic region. Coordinators have distinguished themselves as highly skilled in organizing in a particular industry or a particular region of the country. Coordinators have well-developed and cordial relationships with Teamster leaders in a particular industry or in a particular region of the country. Accordingly, Coordinators are given responsibility over a particular industry and/or geographic region. Coordinators report directly to the Department Director and Assistant Director, but must also demonstrate a high degree of willingness to cooperate with and work effectively with Lead Organizers. Salaries vary and are dependant on previous successes and experience.

Project Organizer

Project Organizers are temporary positions. Project Organizers are generally experienced

Teamsters and rank and file members who have the skills necessary to work on specific

campaigns.

Qualifications:

·   Strong work ethic; must be self-motivating

·   Strong listening and communication skills

·   Willingness to work long hours and travel extensively

·   Demonstrated commitment to social justice

Salary range:

·   Compensation varies depending on skill development.

For all positions listed above, please apply immediately. Send resume and cover letter to:

Jeff Farmer

Director of Organizing

International Brotherhood of Teamsters

25 Louisiana Avenue, N.W.

Washington, DC 20001-2198

Resumes may also be faxed to 202-624-6832

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