Legislative and Political Aide - Legislative Session 2025

Description

Texas State Employees union is a 8,000 member statewide local of the Communications Workers of America. We are organizing state workers in a grassroots campaign for justice; fair treatment on the job, a decent standard of living, quality state services for Texans and defeating privatization of social services. We believe in the labor movement as a movement for social justice, fueled by bottom-up activism and democracy, which builds power by organizing the unorganized. We are building a union of social service workers, janitors, teaching assistants, parole officers, direct care staff for people with mental illness and a long list of other state employees. There is power in our numbers and we are committed to organizing for justice.

Legislative and Political Aide

TSEU's Legislative/Political assistant works in the legislative and political program of the union, under the direction of the Legislative Director. The Legislative/Political aide helps facilitate the union's grassroots lobbying efforts at the state capitol, organizes members from around the state to do direct political action, and helps coordinate statewide election work under the supervision and direction of the Legislative Director.

Duties of the job entail:

1. Political
   1. Coordinate political mailings, phone banks, and statewide block walks with TSEU members
   2. Organize members to do the union’s political work and build the strength of our political action committee by involving more members
   3. Statewide campaign research
   4. Creating and maintaining files and databases on legislators/Political candidates.
2. Legislative duties
   1. Bill-tracking
   2. Policy research
   3. Setting up appointments for members
3. Research
   1. Research issues as needed: agency/university budget/policy issues
   2. Maintain TSEU archives of research materials
4. Coalition work
   1. Maintain data system of organizational and individual contacts
   2. Assist in maintaining relationships with a long-term goal of building networks of allies at various levels of formality (share info, joint work, joint statements etc.)
   3. Serve as TSEU spokesperson when familiarity with TSEU positions & detailed understanding of policy issues is needed.

Skills Required

• Strong verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to complete assignments on deadline, to utilize research tools, and computer proficiency are required.
• Google Docs, Microsoft Word, Excel and Zoom Experience are required.

Skills Preferred

• Experience with LAN and VAN. Organizing experience. Campaign or Legislative experience. Familiarity with labor issues.

Women and people of color are encouraged to apply.