Staff representative research, public policy & bargaining support department

March 5, 2024 (press release) –

The United Steelworkers Canadian National Office is seeking to hire a full-time staff person to work in our Toronto, Ontario office as part of the union’s Research, Public Policy & Bargaining Support Department. Reporting to the USW Canadian National Director, the successful candidate will provide collective bargaining and strategic campaigns support, as well as complete research and public policy projects. The Union is seeking a person with the following qualifications:
oKnowledge and/or experience working in the labour movement
oCommitment to improving lives of working people
oExcellent writing, communication and problem solving skills
oExperience working as part of a team in a fluid, fast-paced environment, with minimal supervision
oUniversity degree in economics (or related field), and /or collective bargaining and public policy experience is an asset, as is the ability to communicate in English and French
oDemonstrated experience with pay equity legislation and issues also an asset
The responsibilities of the Research Position will include, but are not limited to:
•Collective Bargaining Support
oProvide bargaining support for negotiations, including evaluation of economic impact of improvements, evaluation of specific contract clauses and preparation and presentation of submissions for interest arbitrations
The ideal candidate would have:
▪Expertise in calculating cost of improvements in collective agreements in the context of collective bargaining
▪Experience in preparing and presenting union positions in interest arbitrations
▪Ability to work as part of a team in the context of collective bargaining
▪Significant experience in providing bargaining support research in the private sector (both provincially and federally regulated), in post-secondary institutions and health care.
•Corporate and Sectorial Analysis
oProduce reports on the finances, performance, and strategy of companies
oProduce reports analyzing performance and prospects in various economic sectors
oProduce research and sectorial research in support of the Union’s strategic corporate campaigns.
The ideal candidate would have:
▪Understanding of basic accounting concepts, corporate finance, and economics
▪Ability to research corporate structure, evaluate corporate financial statements, and analyze business plans
•Pension Funding and Design
oProvide bargaining support for the negotiation of pensions, including analysis of pension plans and plan financing, and estimate cost of plan improvements
The ideal candidate would have:
oUnderstanding of basic concepts of pension and benefit plan financing and pension and benefit design
oAbility to use simple computer software to calculate estimated costs of pension plan improvements
oAbility to communicate basic pension and benefit funding concepts to staff and members of bargaining committees.
•Public Policy
oSupport the Union in the analysis of public policy, particularly in areas of labour market issues, resource policy and international trade, including steel and aluminum trade
oDraft and present speeches, presentations, submissions, policy papers, and briefing notes
oRespond to research requests from field staff representatives and Local Unions
The ideal candidate would have:
▪Understanding of current public policy debates and experience in the development of alternative policy prescriptions from the perspective of the Canadian labour movement
▪Familiarity with basic concepts of economic policy, and ability to communicate these in simple, understandable terms to union members
•Pay Equity and Job Evaluation
oKnowledge of the basic concepts of job evaluation and pay equity
oFamiliarity with provincial and federal pay equity legislation

USW is committed to employment equity and encourages applications from members of equality seeking groups, including women, people of colour, Indigenous people, people with disabilities, as well as members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

This is a bargaining unit position covered by the Staff Representatives’ Union, with a starting rate of $99,011.09 to a top rate of $127,756,23, plus lease vehicle, per diem and a generous benefit & pension package.

This position will be located in Toronto, Ontario. Frequent travel across Canada and occasional travel to United States and abroad may be required.

Candidates should submit their cover letter and resumé by March 25, 2024 to careers@usw.ca.
Contact: Meg Gingrich, Assistant to the National Director, United Steelworkers, mailing address 800-234 Eglinton Avenue East, Toronto, Ontario M4P 1K7. Please include your name and the text“application for USW Research Position March 2024” in your subject line. All applications will be keptconfidential. Only applicants to be interviewed will be contacted.

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