Job Description: We are currently seeking a skilled and knowledgeable Labour Relations Specialist to join our team in Kitchener, Canada. As a Labour Relations Specialist, you will play a critical role in managing and maintaining positive relationships between the organization and its employees, labor unions, and other stakeholders. You will be responsible for negotiating collective bargaining agreements, handling grievances, providing labor relations guidance, and ensuring compliance with labor laws and regulations. Key Responsibilities: Collective Bargaining: Lead and participate in collective bargaining negotiations with labor unions. Prepare proposals, analyze data, and provide recommendations to support the organization's objectives during negotiations. Grievance Handling: Investigate, mediate, and resolve employee grievances in collaboration with management, labor unions, and legal counsel. Provide guidance and support on grievance procedures and ensure compliance with collective agreements and labor laws. Labor Relations Advice: Provide expert advice and guidance to management on labor relations matters, including interpreting collective agreements, labor laws, and regulations. Assist in resolving complex labor relations issues and ensure fair and consistent application of policies. Labor Compliance: Monitor and ensure compliance with labor laws, regulations, and collective agreements. Stay updated on legislative changes and proactively advise the organization on potential impacts and necessary adjustments. Relationship Management: Develop and maintain positive relationships with labor unions, employee representatives, and other stakeholders. Engage in effective communication, collaboration, and conflict resolution to promote constructive labor relations. Contract Administration: Administer and interpret collective agreements, ensuring accurate implementation of terms and conditions. Provide guidance to managers and employees on contract provisions and resolve disputes related to contract interpretation. Training and Education: Develop and deliver training programs on labor relations topics, including collective bargaining, grievance handling, and labor laws. Educate management and employees on their rights and responsibilities. Reporting and Documentation: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of labor relations activities, negotiations, and grievance resolutions. Prepare reports, presentations, and documentation for internal and external purposes.
Job Requirement: Education: Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, or a related field. Additional certifications or training in labor relations are highly desirable. Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience in labor relations roles, preferably in a unionized environment. Demonstrated experience in collective bargaining, grievance handling, and labor contract administration is essential. Knowledge: In-depth knowledge of labor laws, regulations, and collective bargaining practices. Familiarity with labor relations principles, arbitration processes, and labor union dynamics. Negotiation Skills: Strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills to effectively represent the organization's interests during collective bargaining and grievance discussions. Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to convey complex information, negotiate agreements, and build relationships with stakeholders. Analytical Thinking: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to assess labor relations issues, gather and analyze data, and develop effective solutions. Relationship Building: Ability to build trust, establish rapport, and maintain positive relationships with labor unions, employees, and management. Adaptability: Flexibility to adapt to changing labor relations dynamics, priorities, and organizational needs.
