Staff Representative : Ohio

AFSCME Ohio Council 8

Staff Representative

Based in Columbus, OH

Job Title: Staff Representative
Salary Level: Entry Level: $75,099.72

SUMMARY
Under the general direction of the president of Ohio Council 8 and the specific direction of the regional director of the office to which he/she is assigned, and in the context of the Council’s vision and culture statements, engages in various activities that mobilize, organize, represent and educate the Council’s local union affiliates, local union leadership, and local union membership and to build the union. Also performs other related duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Assess local union leadership/membership readiness (ability and willingness) to use member mobilization and participation strategies.

Develop action plans to build the capacity of local unions to achieve a high level of member participation, develop collaborative and cooperative relationships, bargain good contracts, solve workplace problems, develop and apply political leverage, develop leadership, develop sensitivity to and engagement in issues important to the community.

Implement plans to train leaders and members to be mobilizers. Motivates local unions to use member mobilization and participation strategies. Examples of these strategies include: contract campaigns/member driven negotiations; interest-based bargaining; quality partnerships and other types of labor-management relationships that require worker voice; rank and file activist networks; grass roots political action programs; action-oriented communication tools such as phone trees, e-mail lists, and newsletters. Evaluate progress made in building these capacities and adjust action plan accordingly.

In partnership with local union leaders, develop and use strategies that encourage member participation in collective bargaining, in workplace problem solving, in political action, in community participation, and to develop mobilization tools such as phone trees. Identify, educate, develop, activate and honor activists.

Mobilize local union leaders to actively participate in the representation of their union.

Bargain to Organize – Develop and implement collective bargaining proposals that provide opportunities for members to participate in organizing activities of the union. Examples of these proposals include bargaining to organize language and union release time.

In partnership with local union leadership, develop and implement plans to increase member participation. Examples of these plans include work place and community actions such as petitions, rallys, union tables, walk-throughs and work place problem solving, and the development of local union action teams to assist in job actions, organizing, public relations, community action and political activity.

In partnership with local union leadership, develops and facilitates internal organizing program for the local union. Initiates, assists and supports local union internal organizing campaigns.

Participates in ongoing organizing campaigns.

Recruits local union members to work as volunteer organizers. Engages in strategic political and community activity that will enhance organizing opportunities.

Works collaboratively with organizing department and other regions to implement Council-wide organizing program.

Develop and implement collective bargaining proposals that provide opportunities for the union to obtain recognition as the employee representative of bargaining units. Examples of “bargaining to organize” include employer agreements to extend voluntary recognition and, recognition on the basis of card check.

Uses professional judgement to develop, in partnership with local union leadership, strategies to effectively resolve workplace issues. Examples of these strategies include filing a grievance, IBB, LM committee, arbitration or workplace action, applying external leverage, community coalitions.

Mentors local union leadership to build local union capacity to resolve work place disputes on the job rather than process problems through grievance procedure. Incorporates into collective bargaining agreements labor management committees and grievance mediation processes that are leader/member driven rather than staff. Prepare, encourage and move local unions to IBB and other cooperative L/M approaches.

Conducts grievance mediation and arbitration reviews with local union leadership so as to maximize problem solving and minimize problem processing.

Prepares for and participates in meetings with the employer or employer representatives on grievances and other problems affecting local union members.

Prepares and presents grievances in arbitration hearings.    

Provides prompt and appropriate responses, including advice and guidance, with respect to questions and concerns of local union leadership and membership regarding union related issues or problems.

Using all available resources, conducts proposal and negotiation research to support bargaining and problem-resolution through labor-management committees and other activist strategies.

In partnership with local union leadership, prepares proposals for new and successor agreements that meet the policy standards of the Council and that address the issues of concern to the local union’s members.

In partnership with local union leadership, prepares for and participates in contract negotiations between local unions and employers, including interest-based bargaining, mediation, fact-finding and conciliation, as appropriate.

Engages in effective resource utilization, sets task priorities, applies critical thinking skills.

Prepares for and participates in various administrative hearings conducted by local government and/or state agencies, e.g. civil service, unemployment compensation, worker’s compensation and other employment and/or labor related hearings.

Represents the union before various legislative bodies such as City Council, City Council committees, Boards of Education and Boards of County Commissioners. May serve as a member of committees, boards and commissions, as assigned.

Assess local union leadership capabilities in areas such as communication skills, problem solving skills, group dynamics, facilitation, motivational skills, representation skills such as implementation of collective bargaining agreement, local union governance, and grievance handling.
Develop an action plan to increase these capabilities through the local union leadership education program.

Mentors and develops capacity of local union leadership to partner with the Council in ways that effectively represents members.

Contributes to the development of a leader/member regional education plan which builds capacities and skill levels ( i.e, facilitation, mediation, motivational, problem solving, member mobilization, and communication skills) as well as nuts and bolts training in organizing, negotiations, arbitration and the law.

Presents education program modules in context of the Council’s region-based education program. Prepares for and conducts local union officer and steward training classes.

Assess progress of leadership/membership development.

Continuously mentors, coaches and trains local union leadership to develop local union capacity using opportunities presented by daily interaction and work done together.

Motivates local union leadership to work as a team, encourages open communication, full participation, on-going learning and staff development.

Develops future leadership among local union leaders/members.

Assists local union on matters covered by the local union constitution, Council constitution or International Union constitution.

Attends local union executive board meetings and membership meetings.

Prepares various reports as required.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
None.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
Must reside in the State of Ohio. As needed, must be able and willing to work long, irregular and unusual hours, including weekends and holidays.

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, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s degree (B. A.) from four-year college or university; or two to four years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, newsletters, leaflets and similar written material for dissemination, prepare grievance, ULP, and other fact sheets, prepare business correspondence, and write prehearing and post-heating arbitration briefs. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from or groups of local union officers, local union members, employer representatives, and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs and other types of graphs.

REASONING ABILITY
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to analyze and resolve complex problems. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Ability to plan work.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
Must have a reliable vehicle, vehicle insurance and valid driver’s license. Vehicle insurance must comply with Council 8 policy regarding same.

COMPUTER SKILLS
A knowledge of Internet software; Spreadsheet software and Word Processing software is highly desirable.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Must be knowledgeable of Chapter 4117 of the Ohio Revised Code and the administrative rules and regulations related to it. Must be knowledgeable of National Labor Relations Act provisions as they pertain to organizing activity. Should be knowledgeable of National Labor Relations Board procedures. Must be knowledgeable of provisions of the Ohio Revised Code and the administrative rules and regulations related the State Personnel Board of Review. Must be knowledgeable of the rules governing arbitration and other administrative proceedings. Must be knowledgeable of the civil service rules and regulations for all jurisdictions in the employee’s servicing assignment which are governed all, or in part, by civil service.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

To Apply:
Any qualified candidate who is interested in applying for this position should submit a résumé and a writing sample to the attention of: R. Sean Grayson, President, AFSCME Ohio Council 8, 6800 N High Street, Worthington, Ohio 43085 or submit by email to kmcloughlin@afscme8.org no later than the close of business on July 21, 2023.

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