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The Rain Can’t Stop Us From Fighting For Philly Students!

On Thursday March 21st, we gathered with Penn students, Penn alumni, public school students, public school teachers, and West Philly community members in front of the University’s College Hall to hear stories from those affected by the School District’s lack of funding and demand that Penn begin negotiations with the City of Philadelphia to make Payments In Lieu of Taxes.

Despite an almost $14 billion endowment and a consolidated operating budget that rivals the entire City of Philadelphia, Penn doesn’t pay taxes on billions of dollars in property holdings. This is true even though Penn and other “mega-nonprofits” do not meet the criteria for tax exemption put forth by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in 2012. Penn is the largest private landowner in the entire city and public school students are losing millions of dollars a year in funding as a result.

“Growing up just fifteen minutes from Penn, I have seen its spread into West Philadelphia and how it has displaced many families and schools in the area creating its own infamy amongst West Philly residents,” said University of Pennsylvania freshman Dallas Ryan. “I have witnessed how others have been forced to move further west or work for barely livable wages at Penn to keep their homes. We’re not asking for charity—we’re asking for the “civic Ivy” to fulfill its most basic responsibilities to the city that it calls home.”

Check out our press coverage here: Daily Pennsylvanian (and related followup), WHYY, Tribune, Public School Notebook

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Stand with Philadelphia’s Domestic Workers!

This month, the PA Domestic Workers Alliance & Councilmember Quinones Sanchez will introduce a Philadelphia Domestic Worker Bill of Rights in City Council and fight to become the largest city in the country to win dignity and respect for nannies, house cleaners, and care providers!

Join the PA Domestic Workers Alliance, Councilmember Maria Quinones Sanchez, Councilmember Helen Gym, other allies in Council, and supporting organizations at our press conference announcing the legislation!

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We’re Hiring A Lead Organizer!

Philadelphia Area Jobs with Justice is a coalition of labor unions and student, community, and faith groups. Together, we fight for the fair treatment of workers, organizing in local communities and workplaces. We believe in long-term multi-issue coalition building, grassroots base-building, organizing, and strategic militant action as the foundation for building a workers’ movement, and we believe that by engaging a broad community of allies, we can win bigger victories.

Philly JWJ is looking for a Lead Organizer to lead our campaigns and programmatic work. The ideal candidate will excel at developing and maintaining strong relationships and building consensus among diverse stakeholders with different priorities. We are looking for someone who is excited about creating and implementing campaigns that advance economic justice in Philadelphia.

We are seeking Philadelphia-based candidates who are ready to:

  • Build relationships with unions and community organizations in the Philadelphia area;
  • Grow and maintain a network of activists ready to fight for their rights of working people;
  • Work closely with JWJ’s leadership to develop and implement strategies for JWJ’s organizing projects;
  • Represent Philly JWJ in coalition spaces, in community meetings, and at events;
  • Organize actions, mobilizations, phone banks, media coverage and other activities as a part of JWJ’s issue campaigns;
  • Create and execute communications plans for campaign work;
  • Participate in fundraising efforts.

Applicants Should Have:

  • A minimum of two years of organizing experience (does not have to be in a professional context);
  • A strong commitment to worker justice and the labor movement;
  • A demonstrated alignment with Philadelphia Jobs With Justice’s values and mission;
  • Established relationship-building skills;
  • Flexibility to work an unpredictable work schedule, including nights and weekends;
  • Experience with message framing and development.

Additional preferred skills and qualifications:

  • Canvassing and phone banking experience;
  • A familiarity with local unions and community organizations;
  • Fundraising experience;
  • Access to a vehicle and a valid drivers license;
  • Written and oral fluency in Spanish.

Salary and Benefits:

Salary is negotiated, commensurate with experience, education, and internal salary guidelines. Jobs With Justice provides a competitive benefits package that includes generous paid vacation, medical, dental, and family leave.

How to Apply: Submit resume, cover letter, and three references to devan@phillyjwj.org with the subject line “Lead Organizer Application”

When to Apply: Now through January 15, 2019. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

Philadelphia Jobs With Justice is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strongly encourage people of color, women, LGBTQ individuals, those with disabilities, and those with working class backgrounds to apply.