Garment Worker Center is looking to hire an Organizing Coordinator

Position Title: Organizing Coordinator

Reports to: Garment Worker and Non-garment worker Board; Infrastructure Committee

Position Type: Full Time

Location: Los Angeles

Date revised: January 2012

Start Date: Feb/March 2012

Application Deadline: January 25th, 2011 (early submissions are encouraged)

Who is the Garment Worker Center (GWC)?

The garment industry in Los Angeles remains notorious as ever in its abuses of workers. At least, 50,000 workers struggle to survive as workers in this industry every day. Workers wages are abysmal, there are times people are not paid at all, there is psychological, physical and sexual violence and workers struggle every day to obtain some dignity. GWC was built to be an organization supporting the work of garment workers in their efforts to organize and build a strong workers’ organization that can end abuses in the local garment industry and create workplaces of dignity.

Our organizational structure, our organizing approach and our day-to-day practices reflect our commitment to work towards participatory, democratic, and nonhierarchical models of resistance. GWC places strong value on the participation and decision making role of people who do the work of building the power of garment workers with the organization, be they staff or volunteer and we know it will take an army of volunteer garment workers and supporters to end the abuses in the industry. All of our active projects and services at the GWC are used as tools to move our work forward towards making this a strong workers organization.

Position Summary

GWC is seeking a passionate individual who is outraged by the conditions of the industry. An individual who understands that building an organization like this will have the power to transform the lives of tens of thousands of people and potentially change the landscape of LA if successful. We are seeking an individual who is looking to this location as a long-term commitment and fulfillment of their passions.

The Organizing Coordinator is a full-time member of the GWC?s organizing team which includes volunteer garment worker members. The Organizing Coordinator will need to be well organized, passionate, motivating, inspirational, creative and able to work extremely well independently to empower workers who are active, to bring in new workers, train worker organizers to train others. At the same time this person needs to be humble enough to be willing to be held accountable by the group of worker organizers with whom they will work.

GWC organizers goal is to build a massive movement of garment workers in Los Angeles. The worker organizing is conducted through using political education, creative use of workers’ wage claims and the training of workers to become their own organizers. The Organizing Coordinator’s time will be spent in the garment district in downtown LA and surrounding areas, developing relationships with workers, coordinating and participating in factory visits and wage negotiations, facilitating meetings and workshops, and finding ways to fight hazardous working and health conditions in the garment factories, participating in coalition work. The organizing coordinator will also be responsible for managing a wage claim caseload against sweatshop employers and working through this process with workers to have them become strong self-advocates and eventually organizers for change in their own industry. This means the work involves at least several evening meetings, and Saturdays and sometimes early mornings. The organizer is also expected to participate in collective planning with an advisory board and playing a support role for fundraising.

Ideal Experience:

• Previous labor or community organizing experience necessary

• Experience in leadership development and political education necessary
  

• Experience with wage claim coordination preferred
  

• Commitment to immigrant rights and low-wage worker issues
  

• Motivating, Dynamic, Positive, and Inspirational
  

• Self-motivating
  

• History of detail oriented work
  

• Proven ability to deliver quality work items in timely fashion
  

• Commitment to working collectively
  

General Duties / Responsibilities

Organizing Coordinator Responsibilities

• Develop relationships with and amongst worker members
  

• Develop and carry out Political Education with garment workers
  

• Initiate, implement and involve worker members in ongoing recruitment of other garment workers
  

• Assist in overall coordination and direction of the organizing work, this includes the development of organizers, administrative work, planning, and evaluation
  

• Manage garment worker wage claims smoothly, timely and effectively
  

• Do wage calculations/wage audits
  

• Keep individual wage claim files and filing cabinets organized
  

• Support garment workers during the wage claim process
  

• Support fundraising efforts and other Garment Worker Center activities as needed
  

• Participate and represent Garment Worker Center in coalitions and networks
  

Qualifications and Skills

• Commitment to Garment Worker Center’s political vision and strategies for change
  

• Willingness to work in a collective setting, while demonstrating initiative
  

• Fluency in English and Spanish necessary - both written and oral skills; fluency in Korean and/or Quiché a plus
  

• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word and Internet navigation
  

• Company/industry research experience (preferred but not required)
  

• Strong math skills (minimum skill level: algebra)
  

• Ability to multi-task
  

• Very organized
  

• Works and communicates well in collective settings
  

• Ability to work flexible hours
  

• Must have a car
  

Compensation:

• Work days and hours: Mondays thru Saturdays, hours will be arranged to fulfill a 40 hour work week including some evenings
  

• Hourly pay will be decided based on skills and experience. Range: $35,000-$40,000/year
  

• Paid sick time and holidays
  

• Will discuss health insurance percentage rate
  

• Child care area in office (childcare provider not present)
  

Application Deadline: January 25th, 2011 (early submissions are encouraged)

Contact Information Contact Name: Leanna Noble Phone: 213-748-5866

Send cover letter and resumes By email: gwc@garmentworkercenter.org By snail mail: Garment Worker Center 1250 S. Los Angeles St. #213, Los Angeles, CA 90015 By fax: 213 748-5876

Please also include: * At least 3 references * Writing samples relevant to job duties

THE GARMENT WORKER CENTER IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER, AND DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF RACE, RELIGION, COLOR, SEX, DISABILITY OR SEXUAL ORIENTATION. ALL PERSONS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.