May 10
AFSCME Council 5 members attended every Pension Commission meeting this legislative session, including the vote on the Omnibus Retirement Bill Wednesday, to show support for strong pensions.
AFSCME Council 5 members attended every Pension Commission meeting this legislative session, including the vote on the Omnibus Retirement Bill Wednesday, to show support for strong pensions.

MN Pension Commission OKs Harmful Bill


Party-line vote doesn’t go far enough to protect pensions, cuts retiree COLAs.

May 05
Correctional Sgt. Rick Neyssen testifies against private prisons as the bill's sponsor, Rep. Tim Miller, looks on.
Correctional Sgt. Rick Neyssen testifies against private prisons as the bill's sponsor, Rep. Tim Miller, looks on.

Experts say Minnesota should be wary of taking over CCA prison


Other states and counties found hidden costs.

May 04
Sophia Christian
Sophia Christian

Tell HCMC to Respect Sophia


'They had just cut my position. I felt like I got socked in the gut, like somebody died.'

Jun 28
Cynthia Hassan of Ramsey County and Sara Crotteau of Hennepin County, who are both child protection workers, testify at the state Capitol Tuesday to let lawmakers know the challenges facing workers and the kids they try to keep safe.
Cynthia Hassan of Ramsey County and Sara Crotteau of Hennepin County, who are both child protection workers, testify at the state Capitol Tuesday to let lawmakers know the challenges facing workers and the kids they try to keep safe.

Workers Testify at Capitol to Keep Kids Safe


Child protection workers detail struggles, offer solutions

Jun 23

TA with State Includes Raises, Steps, Affordable Health Care


Bargaining team recommends ratification of 2-year deal

Lead Organizer

AFSCME is the nation's largest public service labor union and a leader in the fight for social and economic change.  In addition, Minnesota Council 5 is one of the largest public service unions in Minnesota.  All across the country, we're fighting for dignity and respect for the people who do the toughest jobs in America. Join us and make a difference.

Lead Organizer

  • Trains workers and organizers to plan, lead and conduct organizing activities.
  • Arranges for research of potential organizing targets. Analyzes data to assess possible targets of organizing.
  • Reconnoiters or supervises the reconnaissance of organizing targets, builds a list of workers, explores worker interest, and scouts out the physical plant without divulging the union's presence.
  • Provides for recruitment of volunteer organizers from within the AFSCME membership and for their training in house calling and other campaign elements.
  • Visits workers in their homes and leads teams of house-callers in the campaign.
  • Develops broad, representative organizing committees of worker-leaders, and trains and deploys them to move the campaign.
  • Writes leaflets and other materials for organizing campaigns.
  • Operates computer database program and provides for the maintenance of organizing database.
  • Evaluates the progress of organizing campaigns and makes decisions accordingly.
  • Demonstrates proficiency in all elements of the AFSCME Organizing Model.

Lead Organizers must have:

  • High School Diploma and at least 5 years’ experience in union organizing; or any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the following knowledge, skills and abilities:
  • Knowledge of union organizing practices and principles and thorough knowledge of labor laws, union elections, NLRB and labor board practices.
  • Thorough knowledge of anti-union employer tactics; ability to conduct research and gather information to evaluate organizing targets, develop organizing lists and implement organizing strategies.
  • Ability to lead, train, and coordinate volunteer organizers and organizing committee members.
  • Possesses excellent leadership and motivational skills and exhibits excellent oral and written communication skills, including excellent "one-on-one" interpersonal communications.

Fluent bilingual skills are desirable. Work is performed in a variety of employment settings. Valid automobile driver's license, travel, and extended work hours are required. The position will be based out of the South St. Paul Office.

Salary and benefits determined by collective bargaining agreement.

Resumes and references submitted to:

Liza Allen

AFSCME Minnesota Council 5

300 Hardman Avenue South

South St. Paul, MN 55075

Email applications accepted at: liza.allen@afscmemn.org; fax applications accepted at: 651-455-1311

Download and print a PDF of this job posting

Jun 20
 “We have to lead with our values,” says Democratic National Committee chairman Tom Perez, the former U.S. Secretary of Labor. “Everyone who works a fulltime job should have a middle class life.”
“We have to lead with our values,” says Democratic National Committee chairman Tom Perez, the former U.S. Secretary of Labor. “Everyone who works a fulltime job should have a middle class life.”

Resistance Effort Gets Labor Boost


U.S. Rep. Ellison, DNC Chair Perez visit AFSCME Council 5 HQ

Executive Director

AFSCME MN Council 5 is currently taking applications for the position of Executive Director.  This position will be based out of the South Saint Paul Office.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Executive Director is the Union’s Chief Executive Officer and is responsible for the entirety of AFSCME Council 5 activities, working closely with Council 5 staff and Council 5's Executive Board to execute the implementation and operations of the organization.

JOB SUMMARY

The Executive Director’s power and authority are listed in Article IX of the Council Constitution. 

Section 1: There shall be appointed by the Executive Board an Executive Director who shall sit on the Executive Board with a voice but no vote.  The Executive Director shall serve at the pleasure of the Board, and the compensation, expenses and benefits of the Executive Director shall be determined by the Executive Board.

Section 2: The Executive Director is the Council's administrative and executive officer, and must give full time to the Council.  The Executive Director shall, under policies established by the Executive Board, employ, terminate, fix the compensation and expenses, and direct the activities of such staff as are required to carry out effectively the functions of this Council.  The Executive Director shall, with the approval of the Executive Board, engage such technical and professional services, including legal counsel and independent auditors, as may be required.

In particular this position exists to set strategic priorities for Council 5 and ensure successful implementation.

JOB DUTIES

  • Execute the mission of Council 5 to advocate for excellence in services for the public, dignity in the workplace, and opportunity and prosperity for all workers.
  • Work with the Executive Board to develop strategic direction for Council 5.
  • Provide overall direction to executive staff in carrying out program goals and objectives consistent with the mission and direction established by the Executive Board.
  • Advise the Council 5 Board on key policy and operational issues.
  • Ensure the development of operational capacity, including technology, necessary to support a successful union.
  • Ensure smooth operation of all programs and operations.
  • Recommend an annual budget and two year budget plan to the Council 5 Board.
  • Ensure that operations, programs, and activities are managed within the budget approved by the Council 5 Board.
  • Ensure that the Union engages in effective collective bargaining and contract administration.
  • Ensure that the Union has a professional organizing program.
  • Ensure that the Union has a strong lobbying and political action program. 
  • Serves as the chief public spokesperson of the Union and ensures a comprehensive public relations and member outreach strategy.
  • Promotes a positive and constructive relationship with our national union.
  • Build and manage relationships with the Governor, the Legislature and local government elected officials essential to advancing the success of Council 5.
  • Build and maintain strong collaborative partnerships with the other public and private sector labor unions.
  • Build and manage relationships with coalition partners to advance the interests of our members and all workers.
  • Build and manage external relationships essential to advancing the success of Council 5.
  • Create and maintain an effective member centered focus in all programs and functions.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

  • Reports to:  Council 5 Executive Board
  • Supervises:  Directly: All Department Heads and Executive Assistant.  Indirectly: All Council 5 staff

KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

  • 10 years of experience in senior labor union positions.
  • Knowledge and/or experience of collective bargaining, organizing, lobbying and political action and communications.
  • Strong management and interpersonal skills and commitment to fostering a team environment.
  • Experience demonstrating creative policy-making and problem-solving skills and a record of success.
  • Strong public speaking and writing skills.
  • Astute understanding of the media, government and politics.
  • Must be able to work within a fast-paced environment and manage multiple, complex priorities.
  • Comfortable and effective working with diverse groups of individuals and able to successfully manage the dynamic and differing needs, interests and viewpoints of multiple stakeholders.
  • Must have a valid driver’s license and be insurable.

PROBLEM SOLVING AND CREATIVITY

  • A key function of this position is the ability to identify, develop, and implement solutions to unique issues, questions, and problems with little or no precedent.
  • Develop solutions to issues, questions, and problems that are innovative and flexible to adapt to changing internal and external dynamics.
  • Problem-solving skills to facilitate discussions and work with members and leaders with competing objectives.
  • Problem solving skills to facilitate discussions and work with external labor union and coalition partners with competing objectives.
  • Ability to convey complex information and facilitate consensus in a positive and cooperative manner to achieve objectives.

Resumes and references submitted to:

Judy Wahlberg

% Liza Allen

AFSCME Minnesota Council 5

300 Hardman Avenue South

South St. Paul, MN 55075

Email resumes accepted at:  liza.allen@afscmemn.org for Judy Wahlberg

DEADLINE FOR APPLYING IS 4:00 PM FRIDAY, July 14, 2017

AFSCME MINNESOTA COUNCIL 5 (American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO) 651-287-0517

AFSCME MN Council 5 is an Equal Opportunity Employer; women and people of color strongly encouraged to apply.

Download a PDF of this job posting

Jun 09
Local 3937 president Mary Austin asks the University of Minnesota to pay frontline workers fair wages.
Local 3937 president Mary Austin asks the University of Minnesota to pay frontline workers fair wages.

AFSCME Calls on U of M to Pass Fair Budget


Workers and students say Board of Regents is failing on transparency and accountability

Jun 09

Poison Pills Tarnish State Legislative Session


Anti-worker lawmakers tried to bust our union

Jun 09
Council 5 members from across Minnesota kept a constant green presence at the state Capitol this session. In just three days, members working around-the-clock defeated a union-busting measure that tried to turn us into Wisconsin.
Council 5 members from across Minnesota kept a constant green presence at the state Capitol this session. In just three days, members working around-the-clock defeated a union-busting measure that tried to turn us into Wisconsin.

Legislative Session Brings Wins, Areas of Concern


Now more than ever, workers must unite

Jun 07

University Unions Hold Public Forum on Budget After Regents Cancel Public Testimony


For Immediate Release: June 7, 2017

Contact: Cherrene Horazuk, 612-940-0660

University Unions Hold Public Forum on Budget After Regents Cancel Public Testimony

Thursday, June 8, 10:00 a.m. McNamara Plaza (near pool)

Each June, the University of Minnesota budget proposal is presented to the Board of Regents at a public hearing. It is the one time each year when faculty, staff, and students testify to advocate for their needs and the importance of investing a portion of the budget to benefit their campus community.

Cherrene Horazuk of AFSCME Local 3800 said, “This year, the one opportunity for University stakeholders to testify and speak directly to the Regents was eliminated. The current administration has been embroiled in scandal after scandal, spending University resources to clean up their mess.  Now they’re shutting down an opportunity to hold them accountable.”

Horazuk continued, “Union workers at the U are currently in contract negotiations. We expect the administration to present the Regents a budget that does not include adequate cost of living increases for our members, at the same time they raise student tuition and increase debt to astronomical levels. We are not interested in the tired story that there is no money for the core institution while they find cash to pay high administrator salaries, lawsuit settlements and legal fees.”

U of M AFSCME, Teamsters Local 320, students, faculty, and other employee groups will pack the Regents meeting to hear the budget presentation from 8:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. and follow it up with our own public hearing on McNamara Plaza.

Download a PDF of this news release.

# # #

May 30
Local 404 leaders Tim Headlee, Matt Stenger and Eric Hesse have fought for Safe Staffing at Minnesota Security Hospital and other facilities.
Local 404 leaders Tim Headlee, Matt Stenger and Eric Hesse have fought for Safe Staffing at Minnesota Security Hospital and other facilities.

Safe Staffing Approved in State Bonding Bill


Projects will improve worker safety, water quality and transportation across Minnesota

May 26
AFSCME members celebrate the defeat of a Wisconsin style anti-union provision Thursday night with several of the lawmakers who supported labor this session, including: DFL House minority leader Melissa Hortman (center).
AFSCME members celebrate the defeat of a Wisconsin style anti-union provision Thursday night with several of the lawmakers who supported labor this session, including: DFL House minority leader Melissa Hortman (center).

Republican Attack on State Employee Rights Stopped


Minnesota Legislature finishes special session

May 26
Local 920's Roberta Suski, pictured here with her family, supports paid family leave for state employees which got reinstated despite GOP maneuvering.
Local 920's Roberta Suski, pictured here with her family, supports paid family leave for state employees which got reinstated despite GOP maneuvering.

BREAKING NEWS: State Paid Parental Leave Is Back


The GOP's maneuvering to kill local control of measures that would improve life for workers has backfired.

May 24

Collective Bargaining Under Attack in Minnesota


Hundreds fill Capitol to protest last-minute GOP moves

May 24

Stop the Republican Attack on State Employee Rights


Call Governor Dayton immediately

May 23
Theresa St. Aoro, Carol Bruner, Jean Birttnen, Jeff Birttnen, Eric Pascal and Pat Guernsey keep watch on Minnesota House proceedings Monday night.
Theresa St. Aoro, Carol Bruner, Jean Birttnen, Jeff Birttnen, Eric Pascal and Pat Guernsey keep watch on Minnesota House proceedings Monday night.

Minnesota Legislature Goes into Special Session


Tentative agreement reached on budget

May 19
James Hemshrot of AFSCME Local 404 takes a photo of himself in the ER after being assaulted by a patient at Minnesota Security Hospital.
James Hemshrot of AFSCME Local 404 takes a photo of himself in the ER after being assaulted by a patient at Minnesota Security Hospital.

St. Peter Workers Assaulted by Patients


‘The Legislature only gives us half the tools to do our job.’

May 19
Worthington Mayor Mike Kuhle, center, with AFSCME Council 5’s Jennifer Munt and Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman. Kuhle calls LGA “the best tool to hold down local property taxes.”
Worthington Mayor Mike Kuhle, center, with AFSCME Council 5’s Jennifer Munt and Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman. Kuhle calls LGA “the best tool to hold down local property taxes.”

Supporting Funding for All Cities is a 'Minnesota Issue'


Mayors push Legislature to fund city services, help hold down property taxes

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