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Labor Relations Business Partner
Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Camden, NJ, the company employs over 7,000 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 15 million people in 46 states. To learn more about American Water and additional career opportunities, visit www.amwater.com.
To optimize business performance by focusing on labor relations in the designated area, ensuring compliance to State and Federal laws, regulatory agencies, company policies, and collective bargaining agreements. Serve as the chief spokesperson (first chair) in labor contract negotiations as part of the management negotiations team. Responsible for all collective bargaining agreement administration, interpretation, application, and negotiation in designated area.
- Act as primary contact for all labor relations in designated area of responsibility focusing on Collective Bargaining Agreement administration, interpretation, application, and negotiation.
- Support organizational stakeholder in labor relations matters including prepare for labor negotiations, contract administration, contract language interpretation, application, and grievance procedures as well as participate in arbitrations, litigations, grievance meetings and hearings. Serve as the chief spokesperson (first chair) in labor contract negotiations as part of the management negotiations team.
- Ensure compliance with various state and federal laws and/or agencies throughout a diverse region; guiding business managers to proactively identify and navigate risks.
- Manage the collective bargaining process; develop contract language that meets organizational objectives and assess the impact of scenarios for designated area of responsibility.
- Participate in contract negotiations for all contracts in designated area.
- Provide consistent labor relations information and advice to local management and other HR professionals as required.
- Develop and support the development of positive, constructive Union/Management relationships.
- Assist with Corporate Governance activities as directed. Provide expert advice and guidance in support of business development projects (due diligence; labor/employee relations; inputs on bids; integration, etc.) including Union Awareness requirements (if needed).
- Work within AW Labor Relations Strategies to implement practices, policies and programs that cultivate positive relationships in the Union/Non-Union and Management Workforce. Support and develop training programs and other development initiatives which drive and facilitate our success. Contribute to effective communication by listening and providing constructive feedback; supporting the creation of an open and honest work environment; cascading and sharing knowledge and information relevant to other members of the team and colleagues across the business.
- Ability to effectively provide expertise with Labor Relations and HR issues at all levels of the organization.
- Strong management skills which include planning, organization, team building, strategic focus, influencing, and people development.
- Proven track record of supporting change programs and partnering with business managers.
- Ability to communicate effectively and with all levels within and outside the organization.
- Extensive knowledge of all Human Resources areas including employment law, labor laws, EEO, ERISA, and other compliance mandates
- Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources or related field preferred Masters Degree Desirable
- Min. of eight years Labor relations experience with a union workforce and labor contract negotiations
- Experience with arbitrations and mediations.
- Demonstrated experience as the chief spokesperson (first chair) in labor contract negotiations.
- Demonstrated record of building and fostering positive labor-management relationships
- Experience with all varieties of HR issues with a tactical, hands-on approach.
- HR Certification preferred
>50%
Responsibilities
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Answer Employee and Labor Relations (ER/LR) inquiries, direct as appropriate, or provide information requiring comprehensive knowledge of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and Fund policies, procedures and operations; provide information as appropriate to knowledge base and level of issue
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Provide management and staff with coaching/counseling necessary to assist them in resolving personnel matters
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Assist with the Senior Manager in recommending strategies, goals and objectives for both collective bargaining and management staff
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Mediate conflict between management and staff in an attempt to reconcile differences
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Investigate and evaluate union complaints to determine viability before leading the fact-finding process and investigations of employee grievances and issues
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Assess all disciplinary actions submitted by Managers before issuance
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Co-facilitate workshops that fall within Employee relations including but not limited to policies and procedures (Attendance and Lateness workshops)
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Assist in Special Projects – PDA, Contract Negotiations, Process Improvement, Production Standards, Revision of Policies and Procedures
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Interpret Collective Bargaining Agreement provisions; investigate and provide information for grievance proceedings arbitration and hearings
- Assist with confidential investigations of employee complaints by researching and providing relevant information
- Support in the gathering of documentation for grievance proceedings, arbitration, and hearings
- Prepare written materials including reports, memos, and correspondences; reviews material for accuracy and completeness; analyzes data and conducts Internet research as needed
- Attend Labor Relations meetings, takes minutes, and write summaries
- Assist with contract negotiations by collecting, analyzing and assembling data; preparing proposals; analyzing union proposals
- Facilitate ER/LR alongside ER/LR Senior Manager
- Assist in resolving advanced issues such as employee complaints, harassment allegations, terminations, discrimination, and situations involving interpersonal conflict in the workplace
- Interface with union representatives and 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 or equivalent work experience required
- Minimum two (2) years working experience in Employee and/or Labor Relations required; prior experience in a union setting preferred
- Basic skills 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
- Follow all Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Protected Health Information (PHI) requirements and regulations
- Ability to prioritize and multitask effectively in a fast paced, confidential environment with competing priorities
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- The New York City Comptroller, an independently elected official, is the Chief Financial Officer of the City of New York. The mission of the office is to ensure the financial health of New York City by advising the Mayor, the City Council, and the public of the City’s financial condition. In addition, the Comptroller manages assets of the five New York City Pension Funds, performs budgetary analysis, audits city agencies, registers proposed contracts, etc. The office employs a workforce of over 800 professional employees, including accountants, attorneys, computer analysts, economists, engineers, budget, financial and investment analysts, claim specialists and researchers in addition to clerical and administrative support staff.
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- The Bureau of Administration supports the work of the other bureaus in the Office of the Comptroller. Under the direction of the Director of Human Resources & Labor Relations, the Labor Relations Associate will support related activities agency. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following tasks:
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- Performs technical work in the conduct of labor relations activities pertaining to and impacted by collective bargaining agreements and associated contractual requirements; including
investigation and research of labor matters/grievances and related issues; serves as a liaison to labor unions;
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- Undertakes “Step 2 and Step 3” grievances consistent with collective bargaining agreement requirements; and supports other Labor Relations activities and initiatives as required;
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- With guidance from the Director of Human Resources & Labor Relations as well as, the Deputy Comptroller for Administration, may perform analyses of civil service rules and regulations that
govern Comptroller’s Office employees, interprets Comptroller’s Office internal guidelines and procedures, User Services guides issued by the Office of Payroll Administration, as well as
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- directives from the Office of Labor Relations, and various Collective Bargaining Agreements;
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- Performs workforce planning studies on various personnel issues; assists with preparing ad-hoc reports and compiles data related to labor relations and HR activities, conditions and/or
initiatives;
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- Performs related assignments or special projects as required.
2. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two years of satisfactory full-time professional experience in labor research and analysis, employee benefit design and evaluation, compensation analysis, labor economics, economic planning, or a related area; or
3. Education and/or experience equivalent to “1” or “2” above. However, all candidates must possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college.
To be eligible for placement in Assignment Level II, individuals must have, after meeting the minimum requirements, one year of additional professional experience as described in “2” above.
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- Exposure to city-wide policies and procedures issued by the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), and the Office of Labor Relations (OLR) including knowledge of Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA) is expected.
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- The ideal candidate must demonstrate sound judgment when dealing with complex and sensitive organizational issues.
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- Previous experience handling and maintaining confidential data is expected.
- Excellent organizational and communication skills (particularly writing skills) including knowledge of Microsoft Office suite is expected.
Serves as a subject matter expert on all employee & labor relations matters and counsels management on effective performance management steps, including corrective action and progressive discipline. Functions as management advocate in grievances and complaint resolution processes as well as hearings, arbitrations and unfair practice charge matters. Provides expert guidance on unique personnel issues/problems without precedent or structure and develops/ recommends best practice solutions to resolve those issues. Represents the campus to the Office of the President on systemwide bargaining negotiation strategy and positions. *LI-KA1
Minimum Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience. Advanced knowledge of labor/employment law, including applicable state and federal laws, court decisions regarding employment related matters and techniques of labor negotiations. Advanced level skills necessary to bargain and represent the University’s interest in union negotiations and in complex/sensitive dispute forums. Demonstrated ability to handle extremely difficult or volatile situations/individuals effectively. Demonstrated skills and abilities in leading management in the areas of performance management and conflict management. Excellent written and oral communications. Bachelor’s degree in a related field required.
Desirable Requirements
Legal experience/J.D. strongly preferred. Bilingual in Spanish preferred.