Job Summary
The Labor Relations Specialist is responsible to facilitate and engage Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations. Provide direction, guidance, and support for management on Labor Relations (LR) activities including CBA implementation, administration and interpretation and employee representative inquiries. Maintain effective and cooperative labor-management relations.
Typical Duties and Responsibilities
- Facilitate the collective bargaining process including tracking expirations, extensive wage & working conditions research, CBA negotiations, drafting document, administration and compliance.
- Provide leadership, support, and guidance to peers and store/DC/office management in administering, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with CBA’s, company LR policies and practices.
- Maintain effective relations with labor organizations and other employee representatives.
- Respond to inquiries from management and employee representatives regarding CBA settlements of disputes i.e. grievances, and arbitrations.
- Assist with drafting Wages and Working condition documents for new location openings including wage and working conditions research, drafting document and administration.
- Facilitate the delivery of proactive and positive employee and labor relations strategies and initiatives that have been aligned with business objectives.
- Continuous competitive area(s) wage and working conditions research, analysis, and planning
- Partner to communicate with management, HR staff, finance, payroll, benefits, and employee representatives on LR related items.
- Update wage sheets for minimum wage compliance, area market adjustments and as needed.
- Partner with payroll on CBA implementation and administration, tracking accruals and minimum wage compliance.
- Deliver training to supervisors and management trainees on matters pertaining to LR such as grievance procedures, CBA’s, and other LR related areas as needed.
- Keep up-to-date of new or proposed laws, regulations and cases to ensure compliance.
- Performs other duties as assigned or needed.
Requirements
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Business/Public Administration, or related field, OR equivalent education, training and/or experience listed below.
Experience:
- At least two years of progressively responsible human resources experience.
- Demonstrate working knowledge of and experience with collective bargaining agreements / company personnel policies; preferably in a retail, warehouse/distribution center, or similar environment.
- Strong working knowledge of general Human Resources policies, practices, programs, and procedures.
- Maintaining compliance with HR/Labor related laws and regulations (i.e. NLRA, Title VII, ADA, FMLA).
- Working knowledge of conflict resolution methods and practices.
- Developed oral and written communication skills for communicating with all levels of the company and external entities: presentations, recommendations, and responses to inquiries.
- Demonstrating working knowledge of Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.).
Ability to:
- Communicate clearly and professionally, utilizing excellent verbal, written and inter-personal communication skills.
- Establish and maintain effective and professional working relationships with functional areas across the organization and all those contacted in the course of work.
- Quickly identify problem areas or situations, evaluate problem causes and take appropriate action to resolve problems identified
- Organize and prioritize assigned tasks to meet established schedules, timeliness, and/or deadlines.
- Work pro-actively, independently, and be dependable, self-directed, and attentive to detail.
- Maintain a high level of confidentiality, integrity and dependability.
- Overnight travel as needed.
Preferred Education, Experience and/or Credentials:
- Two or more years labor relations experience preferably in a retail, and/or warehouse/distribution center environment.
- Developed negotiation skills, and experience with the collective bargaining process.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of work performed by the employees assigned to this job. All employees must comply with Company policies and applicable laws. The responsibilities, duties and qualifications required of personnel may vary.