Published: November 25, 2019

Get paid to build your union, while learning valuable leadership and organizing skills.

Civil and Human Rights Committee promotes and monitors the union’s commitment to equal employment opportunity and administers the Latino, the Lavender and the African/American caucuses to build a strong power base for pursuing issues of cultural diversity. This Member Leadership Development Program (MLDP) will help the committee build strength in these caucuses!

Over the course of eight weeks, February 17th through April 10th  MLDP participants will help build our union by having hundreds of conversations with workers about the value of union membership and the importance of being involved members with in our Caucuses.   Participants will receive classroom training and one on one field training from skilled organizers with a focus on developing and strengthening your leadership and organizing skills.

Entry into the MLDP is competitive, only those who submit applications will be considered and not all who apply will be selected.   Past MLDP participants are welcome to apply and may be selected, but priority is given to first-time participants. Participation in the MLDP is not meant to be a pathway towards employment as union staff but rather as a way to develop member leaders.

Click here to apply!

Primary Duties:

  • Attend seven days of training in Portland. Lodging will be provided for people outside the Portland/Salem area. 
  • House visit, Phone or visit worksites to talk to members represented by SEIU 503 
    • Identify workers’ issues and concerns
    • Increase membership in our Union Caucuses 
    • Identify potential activists and leaders
  • Recruiting for the Civil and Human Rights Conference, assisting with conference planning.

Requirements for participants:

  • If you are a home care worker or personal support worker, it is your responsibility to find coverage and respite care for your client during the times you are participating in the MLDP
  • Generally, MLDPs must have a reliable automobile, auto insurance, and a valid driver’s license and be able to drive several miles each day. We can make accommodations for people with disabilities. (Do not let transportation be a barrier to applying.)
  • You must be able to work a full 40, scheduled hours per week.
  • You must be able to effectively work independently.
  • You must be able to accurately track and report work activities and participate in all scheduled trainings, meetings, and conference calls.

Program Logistics

This is a paid program, you will be paid replacement wages or $18.00 per hour, whichever is greater.  You will be paid COBRA reimbursements, if necessary, for your work-related health care coverage to continue for the full duration of the program.  In addition, you will receive the equivalent of the pension contribution paid by your SEIU-represented employer. You will also be paid mileage at the full IRS rate for all non-commute miles driven during the program.

The work schedule will primarily be Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:30pm with possible evening and weekend work.  The first week of the program, which will be largely classroom-based and field training.  The first week schedule will be Monday through Friday, 9am to 5:30pm. There will be a couple of additional training days in the final week of the program. Most work will happen in the Portland metro area, Exact schedule and training location will be shared before the start of the program.

Applications are due by January 2nd 2020