LABOR RELATIONS SPECIALIST jobs in New Haven, CT

To be part of our organization, every employee should understand and share in the YNHHS Vision, support our Mission, and live our Values. These values-integrity, patient-centered, respect, accountability, and compassion - must guide what we do, as individuals and professionals, every day.

SUMMARY

The Sr. Labor Relations Consultant provides advanced labor relations expertise and/or represents YNHHS's interests on matters covered by YNHHS's policies, procedures, guidelines, and practices, collective bargaining agreements, and applicable labor and employment laws/regulations. Maintains a high level of confidentiality regarding all elements and interactions of the workplace.  Individual is responsible for preparing and conducting labor relations investigations and drafts responses to a variety of issues brought to the Employee & Labor Relations team. Assists in the development and application of labor relations strategies, policies, and practices.  Ensures that grievances and other personnel matters are investigated and resolved appropriately. May serve as grievance hearing officer.  Researches and prepares background information for collective bargaining negotiations. Works with colleagues to identify and create innovative solutions to solve and prevent problems. Develops and maintains departmental databases, generating reports and utilizing data to make recommendations.

EEO/AA/Disability/Veteran.

Hearings/Negotiations/Contract Administration

• Manages the coordination and organization of labor relations activities, which may include grievance administration, discipline administration, contract administration, and contract negotiations.
• Review and provide timely response to union requests for information
• Handle the investigation and disposition of grievances; advise on grievance processing and dealing with disciplinary matters; interpret provisions of collective bargaining agreements; meet with union representatives to discuss issues and attempt to arrive at positive solutions. Arranges grievance hearings and meetings with the unions.
• Serve as YNHHS representative in arbitration disputes between labor and management; attend hearings to advance YNHHS’ position regarding disputed contract provisions.
• May lead and/or participate in collective bargaining negotiations as assigned.
• Interprets union agreements, departmental policies and procedures to managers and employees.

Investigations

• Investigates disputes and grievances and recommends corrective action.
• Research grievance facts, past practice, contract provisions, and critical issues.
• Implements grievance resolutions, including preparing side letters, memoranda of understanding, etc.
• Monitors grievance activities to ensure timeliness and compliance with bargaining contracts.
• Ensures the ongoing tracking of grievance activities and prepares reports.

Relationship

• Works with union representatives to resolve issues and enhance the working relationship of the parties.
• Participate in management/labor meetings as YNHHS representative
• Works with union representatives to solve problems related to the administration of collective bargaining agreements including discipline, job assignments, contract interpretation, etc.
• Collaborate with management in determining appropriate responses to escalated atypical employee behaviors, morale issues, job performance, and other employee issues advise on proper policies and procedures to assist employees in such situations support and coach leadership on techniques to effectively address employee and labor relations performance issues.

Information Collection and Analytics

• Analyzes and/or implements arbitration award decisions and partners with the HR Business Partners on a variety of activities associated with award implementation.
• Compiles and presents information and may represent management at union grievance hearings.
• Conduct research on union-related matters; analyze collective bargaining agreements to develop the interpretation of intent, spirit, and terms of contracts; represent management in labor contract negotiations.
• Conduct a variety of simple, routine, to extensive, highly complex and sensitive systemwide investigations related to grievances, employee disciplinary matters, harassment, discrimination charges, complaints and other issues and conflicts; document activities and prepare reports of findings; recommend and implement corrective actions, consulting with employees, management, legal counsel.
• Study the impact of local, state and federal legislation as they apply to collective bargaining in healthcare and employment.
• Furnish information, such as reference documents and statistical data concerning labor legislation, labor market conditions, prevailing union and management practices, wage and salary surveys, and employee benefits programs, for use in review of current contract provisions and proposed changes.

Compliance and Training  

• Assists with the assurance that YNHHS is in compliance with applicable bargaining unit agreements regarding wages, hours, and conditions of employment.
• Prepares and conducts training sessions covering labor and employee relations practices and issues, such as coaching skills, grievance and arbitration procedures, and orientation to new or revised labor agreement provisions following collective bargaining.
• Conducts formal and informal orientation programs regarding a variety of issues affecting labor and management relations.
• Assist in, develop, conduct and/or lead trainings related to, CBA administration, and associated issues in employment, investigations, and performance management.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

EDUCATION 
Graduate degree in either human resource management, business, healthcare administration, law, or a similar program with an analytic focus or related field.

EXPERIENCE
7 years in Labor/Employee relations, practicing labor law or handling labor relations in a large /complex/multi-site environment. Knowledge of employment/labor laws, regulations, case law and their application. Previous experience in a healthcare environment preferred. Specialized experience in handling grievances , negotiations, employment, employee relations, and employment law preferred.

SPECIAL SKILLS: Strong knowledge of HR laws and regulations. Excellent relationship management as well as project management skills. Excellent communicator, high levels of emotional intelligence, able to provide specific guidance to clients while maintaining an environment of collaboration and partnership. Highly collaborative, able to build strong relationships with HR colleagues to drive results to the clients and HR. Ability to influence employees /leaders at all levels to drive outcomes. Critical thinking and creative problem solving. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple and sometimes competing priorities. Proven team player with excellent interpersonal communication and organizational skills. Strong analytical skills and experience with data analysis, metrics, and reporting. Strong ability to deal with ambiguity and lead others during periods of intense change. General principles, practices, and trends of labor-management relations. Traditional and interest-based bargaining practices, techniques and methods. Research, analysis and investigation techniques and methods. Grievance handling. Research methods and data analysis techniques. Employee relations principles and practices. Mediation techniques. Project management techniques. Training and staff development techniques and methods. Elements of effective performance management. Oral and written communication skills. Customer service principles. Interpersonal skills using tact , patience and courtesy.

ACCOUNTABILITY 
In personal and job-related decisions and actions, consistently demonstrates the values of integrity (doing the right thing), patient-centered (putting patients and families first), respect (valuing all people and embracing all differences), accountability (being responsible and taking action), and compassion (being empathetic).