Ken Margolies on Union Search: Filling Critical Labor Leadership Roles

Ken Margolies, partner at Margolies, Potterton and Associates, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss Union Search, a service helping labor organizations fill key staff positions. Margolies explored the growing need for executive search services in unions, the challenges of managing internal politics during hiring processes and strategies for objective candidate evaluation.

He explained that Union Search emerged from a growing demand for assistance filling high-level union staff vacancies. Many labor organizations lack the time or resources to conduct thorough nationwide searches for top talent, he said. Additionally, some unions seek neutral third-party involvement to mitigate internal politics during hiring decisions. Margolies and his team leverage their extensive labor movement networks and experience to identify qualified candidates for roles ranging from local union leadership to statewide executive directors.

He said the company has developed a structured process to minimize political influence in hiring decisions. This includes facilitating objective discussions focused solely on candidates' qualifications and interview performance, rather than personal relationships or preconceptions. Margolies emphasized the importance of having search committee members articulate specific reasons for their preferences and convince their colleagues, moving beyond vague "gut feelings" to reach consensus on the best candidate.

Union Search combines deep labor movement knowledge with professional executive search practices. Margolies highlighted how their team's background in various unions allows them to understand the unique culture and needs of different labor organizations. This expertise helps them efficiently screen applicants, eliminating those lacking relevant experience while identifying promising candidates who might be overlooked in a traditional hiring process.

Listen to the full episode to hear more insights from Margolies on Union Search's role in strengthening labor leadership.