Member-Organizer Job Opening

The Graduate Employees’ Organization (GEO) at the University of Michigan is hiring part-time member- organizers–10 or 20 hours per week–to work in Ann Arbor, MI. The member-organizer’s primary goals

1. increase face-to-face organizing capacity,
2. build organization volunteer base, and
3. work with staff organizers to accomplish goals in response to labor-hostile legislation.

Eligibility: Job candidates must be graduate students at the University of Michigan and members of  GEO. Candidates need not be currently employed as a GSI or GSSA.

Time commitment: We are hiring in two categories:

1. Category A: 10 hours per week, starting in October if possible
2. Category B: 20 hours per week, starting in October if possible.

In your application, please indicate whether you are interested in Category A, Category B, or both.

Salary and benefits: The member-organizers will be compensated commensurate with GSI  appointments: a 0.25 appointment for the Category A position, and a 0.5 appointment for the Category B position. Member-organizers will be covered by the same collective-bargaining agreement as the rest of  the GEO staff (negotiated by Graduate Organizers’ Organization for Democracy). GEO is unable to pay for the member-organizers’ tuition during employment.

Qualifications: Job candidates should have strong one-on-one organizing skills and knowledge of the higher education workplace, experience working with diverse populations, and a commitment to a participatory and progressive labor movement. Member-organizers must also have basic computing knowledge, including experience with Microsoft Office or Open Office. Member-organizers will preferably have some experience in the labor movement, some experience as a staff member in a volunteer-run organization, and/or some familiarity with grievance processes.

Employer: GEO is a dynamic, participatory union of graduate student employees at the University of Michigan. It is democratic and member-led, and has a strong commitment to social justice. GEO has a history of member activism, successful job actions, and organizing successes including healthcare access, wage increases, job security, and family and LGBTQ rights.

Work environment: GEO’s work environment is collaborative and friendly, with two full-time organizers, a part-time office manager, and a team of volunteer member-leaders.

Application: Applications will be accepted through September 15, 2015. Please include a brief introductory letter, a resume, and answers to the following questions, in no more than 2 pages (normal

1. What is the central purpose of a union, and what are some qualities of a strong union?

2. How would you build GEO membership in departments where it has not traditionally been strong?

3. How do you think GEO should try to retain high membership after the transition to “right-to-work”?

Please combine these application materials into a single PDF named using the following format: <last name>_<first name>_member-organizer_application.pdf. (E.g., if your name is Jane Smith, the file should be named “smith_jane_member-organizer_application.pdf.”) Email the application to Denise Bailey at  denise@geo3550.org. Please use “GEO Organizer Application” as the subject line.

GEO is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT Michigan Local 3550) and is an equal-opportunity employer. GEO strongly encourages applicants who identify as trans*, queer, gender non-conforming, of color, and/or female, as well as, people of poor and working-class backgrounds, and people with disabilities.