Council Representative

Primary Responsibilities

• Assists stewards and other work site leaders in developing strategies for contract negotiations, contract campaigns, anti-privatization fights and other leading programs of the union.
• Communicates one-on-one with supporters, leaders and members and guides their activity on behalf of the union.
• May conduct negotiations, prepare CDLE and NLRB filings, handle arbitrations and grievances, and conduct labor management relations on behalf of a bargaining unit(s).
• Works with councils and locals to develop and implement internal organizing programs.
• Plans labor management relations with leadership of bargaining units.
• Communicates the union’s vision for building strength and achieving growth to members and leaders and guides their activity on behalf of the union.
• Performs duties associated with servicing and chartering new locals.
• Identifies and trains stewards and other work site leaders. Identifies and recommends potential volunteer organizers from within the AFSCME membership.
• Attends all local e-board and membership meetings.
• Visits job sites to maintain member rapport and monitor worker attitudes.
• Conducts research, gathers information, and devises effective strategies for negotiating collective bargaining agreements, preparing for arbitrations and other servicing activities.
• Plans and participates in campaigns to defend local unions against decertification attempts. May act as Administrator of a local union, as assigned.
• Visits workers in their homes, at worksites and remotely as part of a union project.

Directions and Decision Making

• Reports to the AFSCME Colorado Director and Deputy Director. May work under the guidance of another Representative. Works independently but keeps supervisor & support staff regularly apprised of developments.

Education and Experience

• A high school diploma or equivalent, a minimum of three years of relevant organizing/servicing experience, or any combination of education and experience which provides the following knowledge, skills and abilities:
• Knowledge of organizing and servicing union members at a professional level
• Knowledge of labor unions and labor relations
• Knowledge of labor board proceedings and hearings
• Knowledge of computers and applicable software
• Ability to plan and coordinate work activities
• Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with employees and members
• Ability to conduct research and gather information for negotiations, arbitrations, strategy development and other servicing activities
• Ability to negotiate collective bargaining agreements
• Ability to develop persuasive written and graphic documents
• Ability to prepare CDLE and NLRB filings
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing
• Ability to effectively plan workers actions including strikes