Director of Labor Relations

Job Description

Job Description

Labor Relations Director

Washtenaw County

Job Summary

The Labor Relations Director directs the county’s labor relations activities responsible for negotiating multiple, often complex, collective bargaining agreements, managing grievances, and mediating disputes. The director fosters collaborative relationships with unions while ensuring that labor strategies align with the county's fiscal and operational goals.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/DUTIES:

• Acts as chief negotiator for the County in collective bargaining negotiations by acting as representative for County and management.

• Collaborates with departmental leadership across organization to understand operational needs and develop strategies for negotiating with labor partners.

• Partners with local units to create relationships and partnerships to aid in smooth negotiations and overall operational implementation of contracts.

• Drafts and interprets collective bargaining agreements and answers inquiries from County department heads, elected officials, employees, and union representatives regarding such agreements.

• Coordinates the administration of collective bargaining agreements for all labor units within the County.

• Partners with Human Resources to aid in contract interpretation, implementation of contract language and other matters related to contract interpretation.

• Handles grievances by investigating and researching labor relations problems and responding to unions on behalf of employer. Makes decisions on outcomes of grievances and on resolving other labor disputes.

• Prepares responses to union grievances, negotiates, and prepares settlement agreements and letters of understanding with bargaining units.

Facilitates on-going communication and working relationships with employee representative organizations including leadership of joint labor-management committees.

• Aids Human Resources department and Corporation Counsel regarding application of statutes, regulations, contracts, and employee relations practices relating to their functional areas.

• Receives and responds to information requests from the unions under the Public Employment Relations Act (PERA).

• Represents the County at union special conferences and arbitration hearings.

• Coordinates and manages any matters filed with Michigan Employment Relations Commission (MERC) or other Administrative Agencies related to labor relations.

• Interacts with arbitrators, mediators, and union representatives on labor relations matters.

• Coordinates legal labor relations matters with Corporation Counsel and contracted law firms and reviews legal briefs.

• Attends and participates at high level strategy meetings involving the Corporation Counsel, County Administrator, and Executive Director of Human Resources regarding labor relations issues.

• Coordinates labor relations functions with Corporation Counsel and various staff members of the Human Resources Department.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Equivalent to possession of a bachelor's degree with major coursework in business or public administration, with courses taken in labor relations and personnel management.

• Four (4) years experience in labor relations and/or Human Resources, preferably in a public agency setting.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Skilled in contract negotiations and legal proceedings related to labor law.

• Able to diffuse tense or contentious situations between labor partners and management.

• Excellent organizational skills and documentation.

• Knowledge of principles and practices of employee and labor relations, collective bargaining, and employment laws.

• Must understand basic Human Resources theories, practices, and techniques.

• Able to develop programs and administration principles and practices.

• Experience and skill in practical application of collective bargaining and employment laws.

• Effective written and oral communications, listening, presentation, group facilitation; influencing, and negotiations.

• Application of processes for influencing performance management.

• Effective use of mediation and conflict resolution techniques.

• Skills in basic office technology and equipment.

• Coordinating activities with other internal departments and/or external agencies.

• Effective project and time management skills.

• Able to work with diverse populations and team members.