ROLE ADVERTISEMENT: Union Organiser   Introduction Sheffield Needs a Pay Rise is an initiative of Sheffield Trades Union Council (Sheffield TUC) in partnership with the Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU).   An increasingly large section of the UK’s economy is built on the backs of under-unionised workers in service industries. Despite being profitable businesses, a lack of organised workers has led to insecurity and low pay. The only way of changing this is through workers in these sectors coming together and taking action in their workplaces.   Sheffield Needs A Pay Rise is an initiative designed to raise the profile of trade unionism in the city by building groups of workers to take collective action in traditionally under-unionised workplaces.   This cross-union project seeks to build capacity across the movement, with a particular focus on fast food and hospitality sectors with additional support to the organising campaigns of other unions.   What we are looking for We are looking for a self-starter with a passion for social and economic justice and an ability to motivate and inspire others. This role would suit someone looking to develop their practical experience of organising in an innovative and supportive environment with the scope to trial new methods. Training will be provided.   Contract: 12 months Hours of work: 35 per week, flexible hours (some evening and weekend work will be required). Pay: £12p/h Location: Sheffield Employer: Fast Food Rights Closing date: 1st Sept 2021, 11.59pm   For more information on the role including how to apply, please see the job pack.

 

 

 

 

 

JOB PACK

SHEFFIELD NEEDS A PAY RISE

 

 

Job Description

 

Job title Organiser	Contract length 12 months
Start date Monday 4th Oct 2021	Pay £12 p/h
Hours 35 per week, flexible hours (some evening and weekend work may be required).	Place of work Sheffield
How to apply   Submit the following by no later than 1st Sept 2021, 11.59pm to info@uniontowns.org ●     Your CV (no more than 2 pages) in PDF format ●     A statement of no more than 700 words displaying ○     Your motivations for applying ○     How you meet the points marked AP in the person specification. ●     Submit your application in PDF format. In your application please state if you are able to occasionally work unsociable hours, including evening, nights and weekends for which time off in lieu will be agreed. ●     You are encouraged to structure your statement in headings and/or bullet points according to the relevant points in the person specification.

 

Background to the project

 

Sheffield Needs a Pay Rise is an initiative of Sheffield Trades Union Council (Sheffield TUC) in partnership with the Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU).

 

An increasingly large section of the UK’s economy is built on the backs of under-unionised workers in service industries. Despite being profitable businesses, a lack of organised workers has led to insecurity and low pay. The only way of changing this is through workers in these sectors coming together and taking action in their workplaces.

 

Sheffield Needs A Pay Rise is an initiative designed to raise the profile of trade unionism in the city by building groups of workers to take collective action in traditionally under-unionised workplaces.

 

This cross-union project seeks to build capacity across the movement, with a particular focus on fast food and hospitality sectors with additional support to the organising campaigns of other unions.

 

 

Brief description of job role

 

The organiser will identify, recruit and develop worker-leaders, build groups of workers and move those groups to collective action to win material changes.

 

Daily work is predominantly field-based, engaging workers in initial face-to-face conversations in the workplace and follow-up and house meetings in the wider community.

 

Main Duties.

1. To map workplaces, create organising plans and implement the SNAP strategy
2. To identify, recruit, train and coach worker-leaders in under-unionised workplaces
3. To build and sustain groups of workers and volunteer supporters in and across workplaces
4. To work with leaders to identify collective issues and to motivate workers to take collective action in order to secure material changes
5. To promote the project through social and traditional media channels
6. To provide regular reports to the Head Organiser and partners on the progress of the project

 

Field Work

• To work in the field across sites in Sheffield to secure contacts with workers
• To arrange meetings and house visits to motivate and support workers to develop as leaders
• To facilitate organising group meetings in and across workplaces
• To motivate and inspire workers to collective action

 

Training

• To undergo organiser training
• To identify training requirements of workers
• To provide training to workplace leaders and volunteers

 

Administration

• To organise own workload with minimum supervision to make effective use of time
• To work effectively with the Head Organiser to plan organising priorities
• To store, manage and retrieve data

 

Communication.

• To recruit and maintain regular, meaningful contact with worker-leaders
• To communicate effectively with the Head Organiser and others in the broader team
• To use social media channels to publicise the project

 

Reporting

• To compile and present regular reports to the Head Organiser and project partners

 

Targets

• This role will be target driven. Targets will be agreed with the Head Organiser

 

Person specification

AP – assessed at application stage

AS – assessed at interview and assessment stage

 

We are looking for someone who can evidence the following:

 

1. Skills and abilities

 

Essential

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills (AP / AS)
• Ability to motivate and inspire others (AP / AS)
• Ability to support the development of a group (AP / AS)
• Ability to develop and implement a campaign or project (AP / AS)
• Ability to work independently under pressure to meet targets (AP / AS)
• Ability to work unsociable hours, including evening, nights and weekends for which time off in lieu will be agreed (AP / AS)
• Clear motivation for applying (AP / AS)
• Ability to display a commitment to the values of trade unionism (AP / AS)
• Basic understanding of the principles and practice of union organising (AS)

 

Desirable

• Ability to use social media effectively for professional purposes (AP / AS)

 

1. Education and training

 

No formal education is required for this role.

 

1. Relevant Experience

 

We would like to see some experience in any of the following roles (either paid or voluntary)  (AP / AS)

 

• Campaigning / organising
• Sales / customer service
• Teaching / coaching
• Charity fundraising
• Volunteer management
• Project management
• Communications

 

Shortlisting and assessment

 

• Shortlisting will commence when the role closes
• Assessment will take place in 2 rounds, including round 1: short zoom-based presentation and interview and round 2: in-person interview and task (dates tbc)

 

Data protection

 

Your application will be viewed by representatives of Fast Food Rights (the employer) and project partners the Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union and Sheffield Trades Council. The information you provide in your application will only be processed for purposes associated with recruitment to this role.