PRAXIS: THE ARTISTS’ UNION OF IRELAND

Election Information for Candidates

About Praxis and the Election

Praxis: The Artists’ Union of Ireland is a trade union established in 2021 by artists for artists and arts workers across all disciplines in Ireland. We define artist in the widest sense of the word. The union is committed to giving artists and arts workers strategic power in their places of work and to improve their living and working conditions.

Praxis is currently seeking candidates for election to the Union Council, in three roles detailed below. The Union Council is a body democratically elected by members that oversees the day-to-day running of the Union. Elected Officers are responsible for implementing Union policy, working with the Council on day-to-day Union matters, and carrying out duties specific to their role. Officers serve the membership, acting in their best interest and working to deliver upon the goals set by members at the AGMs. All members of Praxis are entitled to nominate themselves for election to Council. 

The terms of the position are as follows:

• The term for Officers is three years.
• This is a voluntary, unpaid position, with expenses covered.
• Officers are expected to contribute max. 5hrs of voluntary work per week to Union activities.
• Officers may work remotely from any location.
• Periods of temporary leave can be arranged for Officers upon agreement with the Council.
• The Council takes at least two-week breaks at Christmas and during the summer.

The expected start date for elected Officers is September 2024. 

Members can nominate themselves for an Officer position in Council by emailing their name and the regional position they are running for to info@praxisunion.ie with subject header ‘ELECTION NOMINATION 2024.’ The deadline for nominations is Monday, 12th August 2024.

After their nomination, election candidates will be asked to submit a 200-word election statement that will be distributed to members. Voting will take place in September.

For more information about the duties and responsibilities of Officers, and Union election procedures, please see Rule 4 of the Union Rule Book or contact info@praxisunion.ie.

Visions Objectives Strategy and Principles of the union can be found here.

OFFICER ROLE DESCRIPTIONS 

1. Disputes Officers (2 Vacancies)

Disputes Officers are the first port of call for members experiencing issues and disputes in their workplace. The Disputes Officers will support members to develop and implement a strategy to resolve these issues or disputes. In doing so, they will work closely with other members of the Praxis Council as required. The Disputes Officers will also work with the Council to oversee the day-to-day running of the union. 

Responsibilities and Duties 

• Be the first port of call for all disputes and issues reported to the union by members. 
• Support members to resolve these disputes by establishing goals, undertaking a power analysis, developing a step-by-step action plan, and implementing these actions.
• Keep official records of disputes and actions taken.
• Work with the Recruitment Officers to organise workplaces experiencing disputes. 
• Work with the Legal Officer to protect the legal rights and responsibilities of the union and its members when handling disputes. 
• Work with the Communications Officer to develop and implement communications strategies for disputes. 
• Work with the Welfare Officer to resolve particularly sensitive cases. 
• Work with the Equality and Accessibility Officer to resolve cases pertaining to an equality or accessibility issue. 
• Follow up with members who have reported issues and disputes. 
• Attend monthly Council meetings and report to Council. 
• Assist in the day-to-day running of the Union. 

Desirable Skills and Experience 

• Detail oriented and good record keeper.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills 
• Ability to think strategically and negotiate delicate power relations 
• Ability to plan and prioritise effectively 
• Experience in trade union activity, political organising, or activism.
  

2. Campaigns Officer (1 Vacancy)

The Campaigns Officer is responsible for overseeing campaigns undertaken by the union. They will spearhead the overall strategy for campaigns, set goals and milestones, and work with other members of the Council to achieve these goals. Along with other Council members, the Campaigns Officer has responsibility for the day-to-day running of the union.

As Ireland’s trade union for artists, Praxis is the only organisation which can set industry-standard rates of pay for artists. As we merge with SIPTU, we gain access to their research team and staff economists who will help us to calculate acceptable rates of pay for artists and arts workers. The Campaigns Officer will be the strategic leader of our Rates of Pay campaign over the next few years, working with SIPTU staff and Praxis members to draw up our union rates of pay, and then oversee the development of a campaign lobbying arts organisations in Ireland to sign up to our rates.

 Responsibilities and Duties 

• Developing a campaigns strategy for campaigns launched by members or the Council. 
• Liaise with SIPTU’s research team to develop the union Rates of Pay campaign.
• Oversee the development and delivery of campaigns, including our Rates of Pay campaign, by campaign planning, organising events, arranging meetings with relevant bodies and decision makers, and engaging members and union allies. 
• Work with the Communications Officer to develop communications material for campaigns. 
• Keep official records of campaign activity. 
• Oversee a voluntary campaigns committee to support campaign activity. 
• Attend monthly Council meetings and report to Council. 

Desirable Skills and Experience 

• Research Skills
• Ability to think strategically 
• Excellent planning and project management skills 
• Lobbying skills 
• Formal writing skills 
• Leadership skills
• Experience in trade union activity, political organising, or activism
  

  PRAXIS: THE ARTISTS’ UNION OF IRELAND

  Election Information for Candidates

  About Praxis and the Election

  Praxis: The Artists’ Union of Ireland is a trade union established in 2021 by artists for artists and arts workers across all disciplines in Ireland. We define artist in the widest sense of the word. The union is committed to giving artists and arts workers strategic power in their places of work and to improve their living and working conditions.

  Praxis is currently seeking candidates for election to the Union Council, in three roles detailed below. The Union Council is a body democratically elected by members that oversees the day-to-day running of the Union. Elected Officers are responsible for implementing Union policy, working with the Council on day-to-day Union matters, and carrying out duties specific to their role. Officers serve the membership, acting in their best interest and working to deliver upon the goals set by members at the AGMs. All members of Praxis are entitled to nominate themselves for election to Council. 

  The terms of the position are as follows:

  • The term for Officers is three years.
  • This is a voluntary, unpaid position, with expenses covered.
  • Officers are expected to contribute max. 5hrs of voluntary work per week to Union activities.
  • Officers may work remotely from any location.
  • Periods of temporary leave can be arranged for Officers upon agreement with the Council.
  • The Council takes at least two-week breaks at Christmas and during the summer.

  The expected start date for elected Officers is September 2024. 

  Members can nominate themselves for an Officer position in Council by emailing their name and the regional position they are running for to info@praxisunion.ie with subject header ‘ELECTION NOMINATION 2024.’ The deadline for nominations is Monday, 12th August 2024.

  After their nomination, election candidates will be asked to submit a 200-word election statement that will be distributed to members. Voting will take place in September.

  For more information about the duties and responsibilities of Officers, and Union election procedures, please see Rule 4 of the Union Rule Book or contact info@praxisunion.ie.

  Visions Objectives Strategy and Principles of the union can be found here.

  OFFICER ROLE DESCRIPTIONS 

  1. Disputes Officers (2 Vacancies)

  Disputes Officers are the first port of call for members experiencing issues and disputes in their workplace. The Disputes Officers will support members to develop and implement a strategy to resolve these issues or disputes. In doing so, they will work closely with other members of the Praxis Council as required. The Disputes Officers will also work with the Council to oversee the day-to-day running of the union. 

  Responsibilities and Duties 

  • Be the first port of call for all disputes and issues reported to the union by members. 
  • Support members to resolve these disputes by establishing goals, undertaking a power analysis, developing a step-by-step action plan, and implementing these actions.
  • Keep official records of disputes and actions taken.
  • Work with the Recruitment Officers to organise workplaces experiencing disputes. 
  • Work with the Legal Officer to protect the legal rights and responsibilities of the union and its members when handling disputes. 
  • Work with the Communications Officer to develop and implement communications strategies for disputes. 
  • Work with the Welfare Officer to resolve particularly sensitive cases. 
  • Work with the Equality and Accessibility Officer to resolve cases pertaining to an equality or accessibility issue. 
  • Follow up with members who have reported issues and disputes. 
  • Attend monthly Council meetings and report to Council. 
  • Assist in the day-to-day running of the Union. 

  Desirable Skills and Experience 

  • Detail oriented and good record keeper.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills 
  • Ability to think strategically and negotiate delicate power relations 
  • Ability to plan and prioritise effectively 
  • Experience in trade union activity, political organising, or activism.
    

  2. Campaigns Officer (1 Vacancy)

  The Campaigns Officer is responsible for overseeing campaigns undertaken by the union. They will spearhead the overall strategy for campaigns, set goals and milestones, and work with other members of the Council to achieve these goals. Along with other Council members, the Campaigns Officer has responsibility for the day-to-day running of the union.

  As Ireland’s trade union for artists, Praxis is the only organisation which can set industry-standard rates of pay for artists. As we merge with SIPTU, we gain access to their research team and staff economists who will help us to calculate acceptable rates of pay for artists and arts workers. The Campaigns Officer will be the strategic leader of our Rates of Pay campaign over the next few years, working with SIPTU staff and Praxis members to draw up our union rates of pay, and then oversee the development of a campaign lobbying arts organisations in Ireland to sign up to our rates.

   Responsibilities and Duties 

  • Developing a campaigns strategy for campaigns launched by members or the Council. 
  • Liaise with SIPTU’s research team to develop the union Rates of Pay campaign.
  • Oversee the development and delivery of campaigns, including our Rates of Pay campaign, by campaign planning, organising events, arranging meetings with relevant bodies and decision makers, and engaging members and union allies. 
  • Work with the Communications Officer to develop communications material for campaigns. 
  • Keep official records of campaign activity. 
  • Oversee a voluntary campaigns committee to support campaign activity. 
  • Attend monthly Council meetings and report to Council. 

  Desirable Skills and Experience 

  • Research Skills
  • Ability to think strategically 
  • Excellent planning and project management skills 
  • Lobbying skills 
  • Formal writing skills 
  • Leadership skills
  • Experience in trade union activity, political organising, or activism