Labor Relations Specialist

Job Description
The Labor Relations Specialist is an individual experienced in working in a unionized environment possessing excellent communication and organizational skills is deadline driven and committed to both supporting leadership and to the development and elevation of our unionized employee population. The Specialist will be responsible for supporting the mission to promote a positive and effective system-wide interest-based labor relations program. For this reason the Specialist must be adept at building positive relationship with colleagues union staff and external labor counterparts. The Specialist will address daily issues involving union staff as they arise referencing collective bargaining agreements university and department policies and the relevant employment and labor regulations. The Labor Relations Specialist must be able to simultaneously and effectively manage multiple priorities and work collaboratively with Union counterparts supervisors and managers. The Specialist will also provide guidance and support to managers and supervisors on matters typical throughout the employment life cycle such as performance management discipline conducting confidential investigations. The Specialist will address grievances conduct confidential workplace investigations. maintain copious records and generate reports as required contractually. The Specialist will also collaborate with and support University partners responsible for administration of statutory leaves reasonable accommodation Workers compensation and other related duties. The Specialist will also assist in administering training for managers and supervisors.

Responsibilities
As a subject matter expert ensure compliance with collective bargaining agreements. Develop and maintain in-depth knowledge of all the CBAs of the universitys unions. Build effective relationships with university management union representatives and also union consultation with labor relations leadership advise front-line supervisors and managers regarding issues arising in the context of the employment relationship collective bargaining agreements HR policy benefits and compensation and discipline for union employees. Investigate and respond to grievances. Participate in employee orientation for new bargaining unit employees; disseminate critical information to union staff including critical policies and processes. Elevate critical departmental issues to labor relations leadership. Assist with union recruitment and staffing functions including review approve and post union jobs and certify candidate outcomes for union positions. Ensure compliance of unionized staff in university-wide and required legal initiatives. Conduct confidential investigations of employee complaints. Refer employee relations issues involving supervisory staff to Labor Relations Leadership and/or the appropriate Sr. HR Business partner. Prepare and maintain written reports of interviews and investigations. Review and respond to union requests pursuant to union contracts e.g. professional development funding requests retirement payouts etc. Review approve and track union release time. Work closely with the Offices of Equal Opportunity Risk Management and the University Leave Administrator to administer and monitor leaves including PFL Workers Comp Disability etc. and implement reasonable accommodations worked out with Disability Specialist. Work with the HR Shared Services Center to respond to unemployment insurance claims. Ensure and maintain critical communication with affected supervisors and managers. Upon request from Office of University Counsel and/or outside counsel provide documentation in response to external complaints filed with the NYS Division of Human Rights EEOC NLRB or in civil courts as well as unemployment hearings.