Sr. Labor Relations Consultant

Description

Job Title:  Senior Labor Relations Consultant

Job Code:  107794

Job Summary

The Senior Consultant helps administer and enforce collective bargaining agreements (“CBAs”) between unions, employees and management. Common tasks include grievance handling, conducting fact finding investigations in accordance with CBAs, facilitating discussions between union leaders and management, drafting agreements and participating in negotiations. In addition, provides execution support for Labor Relations and Positive Employee Relations strategies. The incumbent partners with other groups to design appropriate interventions such as metrics, dashboards, risk assessment templates and manager training programs.

 
Principal Duties and Responsibilities 

Labor Relations Execution

• Conducts fact finding investigations in accordance with CBAs in order to comply with just cause standards and sustain corrective action issued
• Provides support and counsel to management when responding to grievances
• Manages and facilitates grievance hearings and ensures management is prepared
• Assists in preparation of arbitrations and serves as company witness when requested
• Researches and drafts agreements (e.g. MOA, MOU) at departmental and employee level to address issues which may arise outside of formal CBA negotiations
• Mediates disputes between management, union leaders and employees
• Develops and maintains a constructive relationship with union leaders in order to build a foundation of trust for negotiating and resolving matters
• Provides management with day-to-day contract interpretation assistance of CBA provisions
• Supports implementation of labor relations strategies
• Participates in the company labor negotiations process to achieve desired outcomes, and effectuate bargaining strategies that enable business objectives 

Positive Employee Relations

• Advocates for employee’s rights when appropriate in order to foster positive employee engagement and work environment
• Supports key labor strategies and tactics, including union avoidance, and union campaign strategy and management
• Builds and maintains an employee and labor relations scorecard to reveal trends, progress and issues
• Partners with talent management function to design and deliver management training interventions

Leader Development & Enablement

• Advises and coaches leaders on the latest labor and employee relations trends that could positively or negatively impact the Company
• Provides strategic counsel to leaders in administering collective bargaining agreements and labor relation policies/practices that are in compliance with federal /state laws and Company policies/practices
• Provides labor consultation to various supporting departments on matters impacting collective bargaining agreements and represented workforce

Required Qualifications for Position

• Bachelor's degree in Labor Relations, Industrial Relations, Human Resource Management, Business Administration, or related field
• Years of experience: 5 or more
• Working knowledge of employment laws and experience dealing with legal issues involving EEOC, DOL, NLRB and other related concerns

Preferred Qualifications for Position

• Ability to effectively and professionally communicate – both verbally and in writing
• Ability to quickly and effectively establish rapport with all levels of leadership
• Excellent judgment, critical thinking skills, and analytical ability
• Ability to balance working both autonomously day-to-day, and also collaboratively within a team environment and with other departments overall
• Ability to think creatively and proactively in identifying potential issues and resolving known issues
• Ability to navigate complex cases and high case volume
• Desire to continuously learn and stay up-to-date on employee related trends, issues and concerns
• Ability to discern issues that need to be escalated

Disclaimer

The preceding description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required of the position.

Inclusion & Diversity 
Value inclusion within your day to day responsibilities by respecting others perspectives/convictions, engaging others opinions, creating a safe environment where people, ideas, and opinions are valued within your Team/Customers and external partners.

Respect and take into consideration diversity within your Team/Customers and external work partners by valuing different world views, challenges, and cultures that represent all walks of life and all backgrounds.

Treat others with respect and consideration. Actively participate in creating and contributing to a positive work environment.

Equal Employment Opportunity 
NiSource is committed to providing equal employment opportunities in each of its companies to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, veteran status, disability, gender, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or any protected group status as defined by law. Each employee is expected to abide by this principle.

By applying, you may be considered for other job opportunities. 

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