Moving to the United Steelworkers = CLC Job Opportunity

I have accepted a position in the United Steelworkers’ public policy department and will begin working at its Toronto office in February 2008. The Steelworkers are the largest industrial union in North America and one of the two largest industrial unions in Canada. (Jim works for the other one.)

The Steelworkers strongly support the NDP and are trying to build a global super union through a massive trans-Atlantic merger. I look forward to contributing to these initiatives and remaining active in the Progressive Economics Forum.

I hugely enjoyed working at the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) and will continue to do so for a couple of months. Changing jobs was a difficult decision, but the opportunity with the Steelworkers was too good to pass up.

I strongly recommend the CLC as an excellent workplace for progressive economists. It has posted the following attractive position to replace me.

Finally, anyone interested in buying my one-bedroom, downtown Ottawa condominium should e-mail erin [at] erinweir.ca.

Bulletin No. 2007-09

Senior Economist

(Social and Economic Policy Department)

The Canadian Labour Congress has a vacancy for the position of Senior Economist in the Social and Economic Policy Department at CLC Headquarters in Ottawa. (Lesser qualified applicants could be appointed at the level of National Representative.)

The Senior Economist will work under the direction of the National Director of Social and Economic Policy and will have broad responsibilities for monitoring and analysis of economic trends and issues; developing CLC positions on key economic issues; and undertaking quantitative work, both independently and in support of research by other CLC staff.

The successful applicant will be expected to work in close co-operation with staff from Social and Economic Policy and other CLC departments, with researchers from CLC affiliated unions, and with researchers and advocates from the progressive policy community.

In addition to undertaking research and analysis, the duties of the Senior Economist include: briefing CLC Officers; preparing briefs and research and policy papers; preparing popular education materials; and representing the CLC in meetings with affiliated unions and government representatives and in public forums.

Qualifications for the job are:

– a graduate level degree in economics or political economy (or, exceptionally, significant research and policy analysis experience as well as a publication record which clearly demonstrates a similar level of knowledge and expertise);

– good quantitative skills, including the ability to work with micro-data files, knowledge of Excel and SPSS, and good knowledge of Statistics Canada economic and social surveys and databases;

– a demonstrated understanding of economic policy issues from a critical, labour perspective, and a particular interest in international economic issues and in Canadian political economy;

– an ability to communicate analysis and issues clearly in written form to a range of audiences, including public officials and policy-makers, and union activists;

– an ability to produce clear written work on complex issues to deadlines, and to work cooperatively with colleagues;

– the ability to integrate a feminist and anti-racist perspective into union work;

– the ability to travel.

Additional desirable characteristics of an applicant are:

– experience as a researcher/analyst in a union and/or progressive policy organization;

– ability to work in both English and French.

The salary for the position is $81,625.70 per annum plus additional benefits including a car allowance under the collective agreement (CEP/CULR-1).

The Canadian Labour Congress is an equal opportunity employer. Women, people of colour, workers with disabilities, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender workers and Aboriginal workers are encouraged to apply for this position.

Applications will be accepted until January 18, 2008.

Please provide references on application. Applications for the position should also include samples of written work comparable to the demands of the position. Refer to the above bulletin number and address your applications to the undersigned at 2841 Riverside Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1V 8X7 or by email at jobvacancies-administration [at] clc-ctc.ca.

Only those short-listed for an interview will be contacted.

In solidarity,

Hassan Yussuff

Secretary-Treasurer