Manager, Labour Relations

The Role

Manages labour relations programs. Provides guidance, assistance, and advice to all levels of staff. Negotiates and administers collective agreements. Develops working relationships and maintains communications with unions, management, and staff.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Supervises Labour Relations Advisors and a Labour Relations Coordinator.
• Manages the planning and development of labour relations programs. Manages the implementation of initiatives and advisory activities per related legislation. 
• Provides expertise, advice, and consultation to all levels of staff on employee and labour relations matters. Counsels on employee relations and management practices. 
• Manages the research, design, and development of strategies and arguments for negotiations. 
• Develops proposals and agendas. Meets with union representatives to address union proposals, defend management’s position, and problem solve options. Develops negotiation packages for presentation to unions and manages administration and maintenance of same.
• Chairs negotiation teams for collective bargaining, pay equity, and job evaluation negotiations. Consults with the Director and Compensation Manager in the administration and maintenance of union job evaluation plans, as it relates to labour relations. 
• Manages/chairs Step 3 grievance meetings. Manages/ administers grievance procedures, including settlements, case preparation, and arbitration.
• Leads the oversight and end-to-end management of harassment/ interpersonal complaints, including investigations, recommendations, and the development and implementation of mitigation strategies. Assesses incidents of violence, as part of a team.
• Acts as Strike Coordinator for the corporation, including coordinating senior management involvement. Manages related training and communications. Liaises between bargaining teams and strike committees. 
• Manages the preparation and presentation of the corporation's position at interest arbitration hearings and rights hearings. Prepares/ manages costing analyses of procedures and proposals. Prepares management proposals for negotiations with input from operating management.
• Researches and prepares summary reports on negotiations and related issues, costs, and policies.

Additional Duties/Responsibilities

• Designs and conducts training presentations regarding labour relations, performance and attendance management, investigations, new legislation, and collective agreement language.
• Writes, develops, and recommends implementation of policies and procedures related to employee or labour relations matters.
• Manages performance management issues; provides instruction and guidance on remediation measures, as required.
• Advises and determines action (with disability management staff) on claims and return to work situations to mitigate employee and labour relations issues.
• Makes budget recommendations to the Director. Has signing authority within delegated limits. Has authority to recommend memoranda and letters of understanding, with potential financial impacts in excess of $350,000. 
• Exchanges information with Ministry officials, consultants, law firms, arbitrators, other organizations, and external union representatives. Has occasional contact with the media and public regarding labour/contract issues. 
• Performs related duties, as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of the labour market, industrial relations, labour relations, job evaluation and compensation, collective agreements, policies, and employment legislation, normally acquired through a Bachelor or Masters’ degree in a related field (e.g., labour/industrial relations, business administration), plus progressively responsible related experience, including "at-table negotiating" experience.
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with policies, procedures, collective agreements, case law, and related legislation (e.g., labour relations, employment standards, pay equity, health and safety, human rights, privacy). 
• Knowledge of Regional job functions, occupations, and structures.
• Ability to analyze and understand financial implications of proposals and perform cost calculations.
• Communication, human relations, continuous improvement, facilitation, negotiation, and presentation skills to counsel, advise, persuade, and motivate all levels of staff; present to varied audiences; conduct training sessions; represent the corporation during collective bargaining and state the corporation's position; use logical argument, tact, and diplomacy; participate in and chair union negotiations; and participate as an effective team member.
• Ability to read, interpret, and write collective agreement language/ proposals, letters of understanding, reports, policy recommendations, and correspondence (e.g., discipline/ performance management/ attendance letters, communication to bargaining agents on notification issues).
• Computer skills with ability to use software such as Microsoft Office.
• Ability to travel within and outside Waterloo Region. 
• Ability to work extended hours during negotiations. 
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.