Become a PSAC Member Organizer
Campaigns to unionize workers are labour intensive. They require the commitment and effort of the employees from the workplace, PSAC staff and officers and, many times, trained PSAC Member Organizers.
What role do PSAC Member Organizers play?
There are many tasks that need to be undertaken for an organizing campaign to be successful. The PSAC Organizer and the Organizing Committee will assign tasks to interested employees of the group that is being organized or PSAC Member Organizers who are assisting in the campaign.
The types of tasks involved include: leafleting, making telephone calls, database entry, assisting with membership application card signing, staffing information tables, assisting in event coordination, playing a role in representation votes, or any other task that the individual may be suited to.
Who is eligible to become a PSAC Member Organizer?
Any PSAC member who has an interest in seeing non-unionized workers benefit from union representation can play a role in an organizing campaign. Member Organizers are able to legitimately share what it means to be in a union. If an interest is expressed, normally you would be plugged into upcoming organizing training or asked to help out in a campaign.
What type of person makes the best Member Organizer?
Everyone has something to bring to an organizing campaign. Those who are outgoing and gregarious make excellent union membership card signers; those with a stronger administrative capacity are good membership list managers; those with a creative bent develop interesting communication tools and campaign events. While there is no “ideal” type, it should be noted that Member Organizers should have good interpersonal skills and be able to deal with difficult people.
One thing that is very important is an ability to access leave from your workplace should you be called upon to assist in a campaign. Because organizing is focused and intense, it is also advisable that you be free from other commitments during the time that you are asked to participate.
If I become a PSAC Member Organizer, what is expected of me?
When PSAC invests in developing your skills as an organizer by providing training, it would be anticipated that you would be ready, willing and able to assist in organizing campaigns when called up.
It is often on short notice that campaigns take off and additional support is needed. At the early stages having knowledgeable participants who can work independently is very helpful. Member Organizers must also be ready, willing and able to work long days, including late nights, early mornings and weekends.
What does PSAC Member Organizer training involve?
PSAC Organizers will train members in their respective regions on an as-needed basis. The training involves giving the participants the necessary information to be able to: respond to the basic questions about the process; understand how campaigns are coordinated; understand the roles of the various players; and know what not to do.
Sometimes members will be trained by being immersed in a campaign and learn as they go. Other times they will be given the opportunity to participate in a larger organizer training forum, such as those offered by the federations of Labour.
How do I get involved?
Talk to a PSAC Organizer; she/he will advise you of the campaigns that are currently underway in your region. Depending on your knowledge and experience you may either be identified as someone to assist in campaigns or be directed to upcoming training.
