Fuse Washington

Lobbyist, UFCW

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Lobbyist (full-time, permanent)

United Food and Commercial Workers Local 21

Seattle, WA

WHO WE ARE
United Food and Commercial Workers Local 21, representing nearly 30,000 workers in retail, health care, laundry and other services in Washington State, seeks a Lobbyist to lead its policy advocacy endeavors locally and statewide.

Local 21 is one of the largest and fastest growing, private sector local unions in the nation, having organized over 8000 workers in the past ten years. The local union has a robust organizing department, and is one of the only local unions to have a dedicated community organizing team. Working closely with labor and community allies, Local 21 is increasingly recognized for its coalition work that includes political, organizing and community successes. Two recent examples include defeating a “Takings Initiative” together with environmental allies and the passage of a statewide “Working Families Tax Credit” bill recently signed by the Governor. Local 21 has dramatically increased the number and value of voluntary member contributions earmarked for electoral politics, which raises essential funding but more importantly engages grass roots members on the imperative of a robust legislative program. Within the past three years, the Local 21 has also dramatically increased member participation in the legislative program, including Lobby Days, e-action alerts, and contacting members to phone their legislators on priority issues.

OBJECTIVE
A key strategic objective of UFCW Local 21 is to enhance its policy advocacy to a much higher level in order to move the assertive agenda of its membership. While Local 21 is committed to creating a much more equitable community that provides for adequate wages, a fairer tax system, the promotion of immigrant rights, and other improvements to our collective welfare, our clearest legislative priorities are health care reform and the right of workers to organize and form unions.
UFCW Local 21 intends to be a leader in the public policy arena and the Lobbyist will play a key role.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design, research and coordinate legislative campaigns.
• Communicate the interests of UFCW Local 21 to elected officials and their staff representatives at the state and municipal levels.
• Confer with legislators and officials to emphasize the merits or weaknesses of specific bills to influence passage, defeat, or amendment of measures, or encourage introduction of legislation more favorable to the interests of the membership of UFCW 21 and its allies.
• Assist in organizing political support for local union organizing and contract campaigns
• Plan and coordinate meetings between members and elected government officials both prior to and during legislative sessions to discuss legislative issues and proposals and allow officials to respond to membership concerns.
• Coordinate with a variety of allies, including but not limited to the Washington State Labor Council and the United Labor Lobby.

• The successful candidate will work closely with the UFCW Local 21 Political Director and report to the Director of Political Affairs and External Relations.

QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or ability required.

• The ideal candidate will have a passion for the mission and values of UFCW Local 21, and will have a deep commitment to organization building.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• Five+ years work experience in the legislative and political arenas. Experience in the labor movement, progressive politics or an allied progressive organization is desirable.
• Track record of conducting legislative and political campaigns, and membership based legislative and political programs.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented and intense work environment.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to make presentations to groups or individuals, including union officials and staff, union members, and elected officials and their representatives on a variety of legislative issues.
• Ability to work collaboratively and creatively with other team members.
• Demonstrable capacity to interact with people from all backgrounds, especially including the ability to convey respect and appreciation for all.
• Ability to think strategically, define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Willingness to work long and often irregular hours, including nights and weekends. Travel within Washington State is required.
• Commitment to, knowledge of, and interest in the U.S. labor movement in the context of the broader social justice movement.
• Experience with word processing and data base software applications.

• A working sense of humor as politics is nothing if not humorous at times.

APPLICATION
UFCW Local 21 is an Equal Opportunity Employer and benefits from the various perspectives and talents of a racially and culturally diverse staff. Women and people of color are encouraged to apply.
Second language skills are preferred.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Salary DOE, excellent benefits package.

Resumes, references, and cover letter should be e-mailed to:
kyoung@ufcw21.org
or mailed
Attn: Kathy Young
UFCW Local 21
5030 1st Ave South, Suite 200
Seattle, WA 98134