The Workers’ Center of Central New York (http://www.workerscny.org/) is a Syracuse-based, grassroots organization committed to workplace and economic justice. Founded in the summer of 2008, the Workers’ Center is affiliated with Interfaith Worker Justice (IWJ) and Occupational Health Clinical Center. Through community organizing, leadership development, popular education and policy advocacy, the Workers’ Center of Central New York aims to empower low-wage workers to combat workplace abuses and improve wages and working conditions. With the active support of an advisory board and in collaboration with two other staff persons, the organizer will work to expand the center’s membership base of low-wage workers and develop and lead strategic campaigns for workplace and economic justice.
- Conduct outreach to, and recruit new members from, diverse constituencies of workers (in retail, restaurant, janitorial and other industries where low wages and violations of labor laws are commonplace).
- Develop worker leadership.
- Recruit workers to participate and contribute to the organization/s mission.
- Work collaboratively with members and advocates to identify and develop workplace justice campaigns.
- Support members to collect evidence of workplace exploitation and to participate collaborative research about their employer targets.
- Plan direct actions including community delegations, public protests, press conferences, etc.
- Work on the organizations communications (website, social media, etc.)
- Contribute to the centers overall strategy and organizational development.
- Help to build alliances with labor, community, faith, and other partners in Syracuse and beyond.
- Help to integrate volunteers wishing to support the organization.
- A passion for social and economic justice and a strong commitment to organizing and the empowerment of low-income populations.
- Familiarity with workers centers and the current landscape of labor organizing in the U.S.
- Familiarity with, or willingness to learn, popular education and other leadership development practices.
- Community or labor organizing experience.
- A willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
- A collaborative spirit and strong interpersonal skills.
- Preferred but not required: Fluency in Spanish.
