Labor Relations Specialist

This is an onsite, temporary to possible direct hire position in New York City. Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Responsibilities

• Respond to Employee and Labor Relations (ER/LR) inquiries, provide guidance or direction as appropriate, and apply comprehensive knowledge of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), policies, procedures, and operations to support timely and informed resolution.


• Provide coaching support to management and staff to help resolve personnel matters effectively, consistently, and in alignment with organizational standards.


• Partner with the Senior Manager to recommend strategies, goals, and objectives that support both collective bargaining and management staff.


• Mediate workplace concerns between management and staff to support productive communication, issue resolution, and improved working relationships.


• Review and evaluate union complaints to determine appropriate next steps, and lead or support fact-finding activities and investigations related to employee grievances and workplace concerns.


• Review disciplinary actions submitted by managers before issuance to ensure accuracy, consistency, and alignment with applicable policies and procedures.


• Co-facilitate Employee Relations workshops, including sessions related to policies, procedures, attendance, lateness, and other topics that support employee understanding and compliance.


• Support special projects related to PDA, contract negotiations, process improvement, production standards, and revisions to policies and procedures.


• Interpret Collective Bargaining Agreement provisions and prepare information for grievance proceedings, arbitration, and hearings.


• Assist with confidential employee complaint investigations by researching, organizing, and providing relevant information to support fair and thorough outcomes.


• Gather and organize documentation for grievance proceedings, arbitration, and hearings to ensure materials are complete, accurate, and accessible.


• Prepare written materials, including reports, memoranda, correspondence, and summaries; review content for accuracy and completeness; analyze data and conduct research as needed.


• Support contract negotiations by collecting, analyzing, and assembling data; preparing proposals; and reviewing union proposals to identify considerations, impacts, and improvement opportunities.


• Facilitate Employee and Labor Relations processes in partnership with the ER/LR Senior Manager to promote consistency, accountability, and continuous improvement.


• Assist in resolving complex workplace matters, including employee complaints, harassment allegations, terminations, discrimination concerns, and interpersonal conflict, while promoting equitable and policy-aligned outcomes.


• Collaborate with union representatives and the management team to coordinate union site visits, employee releases for union business, and joint training sessions.


• Perform additional duties as assigned by management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Industrial Relations or Human Resources


• Minimum three (3) years working experience in Employee and/or Labor Relations required; prior experience in a union setting preferred


• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint required


• Knowledge of labor relations principles and practices


• Advanced oral, listening, presentation and written communication skills required


• Must be able to work within and maintain the confidentiality required of the organization and the Human Resources Department


• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to maintain effective working relationships with union officials, employees, and management


• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to assist with investigations from initial complaint to resolution


• Ability to prioritize and multitask effectively in a fast paced, confidential environment with competing priorities