Overview

Position Title: Lead Organizer    Location: Los Angeles, partial remote work

Position Type: Full-time                   Application Deadline: Open until filled.

Start Date: September 2022

 

About GWC: Founded in 2001, the Garment Worker Center is a worker rights organization leading an anti-sweatshop movement to improve conditions for tens of thousands of Los Angeles garment workers. Through direct organizing, GWC develops leaders who demand enforcement of strong labor laws and accountability from factory owners, manufacturers, and fashion brands. We center immigrant workers, women of color, and their families who are impacted by exploitation in the fashion industry.

Position description: GWC seeks a dedicated, passionate garment worker organizer to develop and grow our base. The Lead Organizer will lead a small team of organizers, focused on identifying solutions with workers to labor abuses in the industry. The organizer will conduct outreach and recruit workers to GWC membership,  as well as support GWC’s strategic campaigns. Training will be provided. For this position, the organizer must be able to work flexible hours, including early mornings, evenings and weekends. Must be fluent in English and Spanish.

Duties:

  • Provide support and technical assistance to 1-2 organizers in your team.
  • Conduct weekly outreach to workers.
  • Meet with workers individually, identify workers who want to organize, and develop a team.
  • Recruit workers to become dues paying members and follow up with expired and pledged memberships.
  • Build workplace committees that aim to develop solutions to bad treatment, wage theft, poor sanitation, and covid dangers.
  • Facilitate leadership development among your team of members and committees.
  • Support workers in securing workplace investigations by the Department of Public Health and CA Bureau of Field Enforcement.
  • Facilitate general membership meetings, including training and  political education in collaboration with other GWC organizers.
  • Support monthly orientations (Cafecitos) with workers.
  • Assist in developing worker training curriculum and leading worker training in collaboration with  GWC organizers.
  • Turn out garment workers to meetings and actions.
  • Represent GWC in an ally coalition, including attending meetings and identifying ways for GWC members to engage.

Qualifications and Skills

  • 4-6 years of experience in labor or community organizing.
  • Strong commitment to social, racial, gender, and economic justice.
  • A desire to grow and build worker power.
  • Self-motivated, able to set priorities and goals, excellent planner, can execute organizational plans, and works well in collective settings.
  • Must be proficient with LA’s public transportation system, or able to drive their own car.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel, Google Calendar, Google Drive.
  • Fluent in Spanish – both written and oral skills.
  • Speaks Zapotec or Mayan language (ideal but not required).

Compensation:

  • Compensation: $65,000
  • Generous paid sick time, vacation, and holidays.
  • Health and dental benefits.
  • Retirement program, with employer matching.

TO APPLY

  • Send cover letter, resume, and references to Marissa Nuncio, Director, at mnuncio@garmentworkercenter.org or https://tinyurl.com/idealist-GWC.
  • Interviews will be conducted by a staff and worker member hiring committee.

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

About Garment Worker Center

Garment Worker Center is a worker rights organization leading an anti-sweatshop movement to improve conditions for tens of thousands of Los Angeles garment workers. Through direct organizing, GWC develops leaders who demand enforcement of strong labor laws and accountability from factory owners, manufacturers, and fashion brands. We center immigrant workers, women of color, and their families who are impacted by exploitation in the fashion industry.