Job Openings

Business Agent

Posting Date: August 30, 2024

The Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE) is the premier labor union representing more than 17,000 professionals employed by various agencies across the State of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. MAPE is currently recruiting for a Business Agent position to help build a powerful organization that workers want to belong to; that can take bold, collective action; and be grounded in democratic, member-driven principles.

To be considered, qualified candidates must submit a resume and cover letter detailing experience in each of the key areas outlined in this position description, and three references, no later than September 30, 2024, to: jobs@mape.org.

Kristin Kirchoff-Franklin
3460 Lexington Ave. N
Shoreview, MN 55126

The Minnesota Association of Professional Employees is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strongly encourage people from under-represented groups to apply for this position. The typical starting salary for this position is $79,302 - $88,343 plus a comprehensive benefit package that includes health, dental and life insurance; holidays, sick and vacation leave; and contributions to the Minnesota State Retirement System.

This position is represented by OPEIU Local 12.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Classification title: Business Agent
Salary range: 14L
Job type: Full-time
Reports to: Field Director
FLSA Status: Exempt
Travel: Travel required

POSITION PURPOSE:

The Business Agent is responsible for building power for members of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees. They are ultimately charged with fighting for members, which includes enforcing the collective bargaining agreement and organizing members to take collective action in the workplace and community. Taking direction from the Field Director, the Business Agent is held accountable for the following duties and responsibilities, articulated in no particular order of importance below.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Contract Maintenance:

  • Identify, recruit, train, develop and support stewards and work site leaders.
  • Provide representation support to members and work with member leaders to assist members through misconduct investigations and any support needed through the grievance process up to and including arbitrations.
  • Administering and enforcing the terms and conditions of the collective bargaining agreement with the State of Minnesota as well as any other assigned collective bargaining agreements.
  • Interpreting the language of all relevant CBA’s.
  • Contract negotiations as assigned.

Organizing:

  • Motivate and lead workers in struggle for fair and respectful workplaces.
  • Work to ensure union leadership is representative of all member races, ages, gender and other identities.
  • Provide worksite, agency and statewide organizing support to leaders and members such as helping leaders develop issue specific organizing campaigns, recruiting Contract Action Team (CAT) members and supporting CAT efforts.
  • Support statewide and supplemental bargaining teams which includes leading the team(s) through campaign planning and strategizing and negotiating memorandums of understanding and supplemental agreements.
  • Support member programs that enhance local union function and activism.
  • Membership recruitment and retention.
  • Attending and advising members at meet-and-confer meetings.
  • Engaging members in the political process.

Other related tasks as assigned:

The Business Agent is expected to carry out a number of other responsibilities which include but are not limited to:

  • Attending meetings for assigned locals.
  • Coordinating and leading various trainings.
  • Collaborating with colleagues and leaders on various projects and assignments.

PERFORMANCE REVIEW:

The performance of the Business Agent will be reviewed annually by the Field Director. The purpose of the review will be twofold.

  1. To agree to a set of goals for the following six to twelve months.
  2. To assess the extent to which goals from the previous six to twelve months have been achieved.

Performance targets should be based on the responsibilities and duties articulated in this position description.

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

The ideal candidate for the post of Business Agent should:

  • Possess one or more years of relevant work experience (preferably in a unionized workplace).
  • Have documented successes in the areas of member representation and contract administration.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of labor relations, labor and contract law, Minnesota’s Public Employee Labor Relations Act, and the operations of Minnesota state agencies.
  • Demonstrate interest in and aptitude for successful organizing.
  • Be knowledgeable of relevant employee resources.
  • Possess superior problem-solving and negotiation skills.
  • Be able to work independently and in a team.
  • Communicate effectively.
  • Be able to prioritize in a multi-tasking environment.

The goals and work activities listed in this position description are intended to describe the essential functions of the person or persons assigned to this job. They are not intended as an exhaustive list of all job duties, responsibilities, and requirements.