AFL-CIO Organizing Institute

There are hundreds of positions available nationwide for qualified union organizers. These are some of the most challenging and fulfilling jobs available to people seeking to make a difference and make a living as part of a movement for change. The Organizing Institute is a paid training program helping to match talented people with unions expanding their organizing programs.

Responsibilities: Assist workers in gaining union representation, by educating people about their rights and explaining the union organizing process; recruiting, developing, and mobilizing worker organizing committees; developing and carrying out campaign plans; organizing around justice issues in the workplace.

Qualifications: Commitment to social and economic justice and building the labor movement; energy and enthusiasm; leadership qualities; strong communication skills; strategic ability; willingness to work long and irregular hours; union, community or student organization experience preferred. People of color, bilingual applicants, and women are encouraged to apply.

The Organizing Institute Training Program
The Organizing Institute is a selective program that includes classroom training, field training, and job placement. Many unions rely on the Organizing Institute to recruit and screen applicants for their organizing jobs. Some of these jobs are city-based and some are regionally based. New organizers are assisting workers who are forming unions in all sectors of the economy, including manufacturing, retail, agriculture, healthcare, and hospitality. The steps of the program are the following:

3-Day Training
An intensive weekend course that teaches the basics of campaign tactics and strategy to potential organizers and assesses participant skills. Housing and food are provided.

Field Training
Selected applicants go on to a paid ten day orientation and then a three-month field training program on a union organizing campaign, during which they learn union-building skills first-hand. Field training includes a $400 weekly salary, housing, transportation, and health insurance.

Job Placement
Trainees who successfully complete the program are recommended by the Institute to be hired as union organizers by local and national unions. Placement rates for graduates are better than 90 percent. Ability to travel and/or relocate improves the likelihood of placement. Annual starting pay ranges from $20,000 to $30,000.

For more information or an application, contact the Organizing Institute at 800-848-3021.