Union Coordinator

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Union Coordinator will anchor Beyond the Bars’ union partnerships strategy and train and manage worker leadership committees to carry out that strategy, working at the national, regional, and local levels depending on organizational priorities.

Member Leadership & Training

• Recruit, train, and manage member teams to carry out all partnership work.

Apprenticeship Pathways

• Partner with unions to identify barriers to entry for workers with records in registered apprenticeships and training programs.

• Collaborate with unions to design and deliver pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs for workers with records.

• Track placements into union jobs and monitor program outcomes.

Collective Bargaining Support

• Develop bargaining strategies to help unions negotiate enforceable protections for workers with records.

• Create sample bargaining language for inclusive hiring and fair-chance contract provisions, protections for workers under supervision, temp-to-permanent pathways, and other priorities based on members’ experiences.

• Provide technical assistance to union bargaining teams to include provisions addressing record-based discrimination and preventing permatemping.

• Collaborate with key national allies to advance this work ahead of the 2028 contract alignment.

Research & Data Systems

• Coordinate the creation of a database documenting which job classes in key industries workers with records can and cannot access based on federal and state law, linked to collective bargaining agreements.

• Work with other BTB staff to analyze findings to inform strategy and identify opportunities for intervention.

​​Partnership Development & Strategy

• Manage and expand MOUs with existing and new union partners; secure and manage fee-for-service agreements.

• Develop and manage relationships with union leadership, rank-and-file caucuses, and strategic partner organizations.

• Develop and coordinate union roundtables at the local, state, and national levels to advance Beyond the Bars’ union strategy within the labor movement.

• Represent Beyond the Bars in local and national labor coalitions.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Required:

• Commitment to Beyond the Bars’ mission and vision.

• Strong computer and database skills

• Ability to build rapport with new people and establish and maintain trust with union partners, workers, and movement allies.

• Willingness to work nontraditional hours, including evenings and weekends.

• Strong project management and organizational skills; comfortable working independently in a fast-paced environment.

• Valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle.

Preferred:

• Experience with labor unions, either as a rank-and-file member or staffer, or through developing and executing strategy with union partners.

• Experience designing or facilitating trainings.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, Dropbox, and Canva

• Bilingual (English/Spanish or English/Creole)

COMPENSATION

This is a full-time, exempt position with a starting salary of $60,000 per year. The position reports directly to the Co-Executive Director. Given worker and union partner schedules, this position will require nontraditional hours, including early morning, evening, and/or weekend hours. Flexible work schedules will be accommodated when possible.