Labor Relations Specialist

Job Description

The Labor Relations Specialist is responsible for supporting the administration of a positive and effective system-wide labor and employee relations program that promotes the long and short-term labor relations strategies under direction.

Address daily issues as they arise in the context of the collective bargaining agreements and the employment relationship for bargaining unit staff.

Must be able to prioritize and address several problems simultaneously effectively. Work collaboratively with Union counterparts, supervisors, and managers.

Consult with labor relations leadership to guide managers and supervisors on employee relations matters, including performance management, discipline, and termination.

Collaborates with the University Leave Administrator, Office of Risk Management, and the Office of Equal Opportunity to administer leaves, reasonable accommodations, Worker’s Compensation, etc.

May assist in training for managers and supervisors. Receives and addresses grievances in consultation with Labor Relations leadership.

Conducts confidential workplace investigations and prepares reports. Maintains copious labor relations records and generates reports.

Works with HR and other university departments to fulfill daily duties. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in HR, Industrial Labor Relations or related field.

4-6 years’ experience in HR, or labor and / or employee relations, or related work.

Experience in labor and / or employee relations in an academic setting, desirable. Job Specific Qualifications

• Human Resources and / or labor relations experience, or legal experience in labor and / or employment law.
• Knowledge of key employment and labor laws (e.g. FLSA, FMLA, NLRA, ADA, NY PFL, EEOC Regs. etc.)
• Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to work collaboratively, Committed to providing excellent service to all stakeholders.
• Proactive self-starter; is adept at finding creative solutions to challenging issues. Skilled at conflict resolution.
• Must be detail-oriented, adept at multi-tasking, able to prioritize effectively, and work efficiently in a deadline driven environment.
• Ability to work independently but also function as part of a team. Exceptional writing, critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Ability to conduct confidential workplace investigations and prepare detailed, well written investigation reports.
• Proficiency in using PowerPoint; Microsoft Office Products, and particularly Outlook, Word, Visio, and Excel; ability to run Hyperion data queries.

Responsibilities

Conduct confidential investigations of employee complaints. Refer employee relations issues involving supervisory staff to Labor Relations Leadership and / or the appropriate Sr.

HR Business partner. Prepare and maintain written reports of interviews and investigations. Maintain and update labor relations log.

Administer Adjuncts United professional development fund requests; review, approve and track payouts.

Ensure compliance with collective bargaining agreements. Develop and maintain in-depth knowledge of all the CBAs of the university’s unions.

Build effective relationships with university management, union representatives and also union employees. In consultation with labor relations directors, advise front-line supervisors and managers regarding issues arising in the context of the employment relationship, collective bargaining agreements, HR policy, benefits and compensation, and discipline for union employees.

Timely respond to employee / supervisor / union requests for assistance and information.

Investigate and respond to grievances. Participate in employee orientation for new bargaining unit employees; disseminate critical information to union staff including critical policies and processes.

Elevate critical departmental issues to labor relations leadership.

Assist with union recruitment and staffing functions including review, approve, and post union jobs and certify candidate outcomes for union positions.

Ensure compliance of unionized staff in university-wide and required legal initiatives, e.g. sexual harassment training etc.

Promptly escalate critical issues to the labor relations leadership.

Work closely with the Offices of Equal Opportunity, Risk Management, and Leave Administrator to administer and monitor leaves including PFL, Worker’s Comp, Disability etc.

and implement reasonable accommodations worked out with Disability Specialist. Work with the HR Shared Services Center to respond to unemployment insurance claims.

Ensure and maintain critical communication with affected supervisors and managers. Upon request, provide documentation and support in response to external complaints filed with the NYS Division of Human Rights, EEOC, NLRB, or in civil courts, as well as unemployment hearings.

Work with the University’s safety specialists in implementing policies / protocols involving union staff.

Physical Requirements

• Tools / Equipment *
30+ days ago