Employee Relations Associate

Description:

Job Responsibilities

• Serves as the Company's negotiator in contract negotiations with the union. Maintains current knowledge of employee and labor relations trends, legal decisions, and statutory changes; conducts research necessary (or works with BMS counsel) to support contract negotiations and employee relations. Uses appropriate negotiation strategies to develop bargaining goals and negotiate contracts consistent with BMS' mission, values and objectives.

• Serves as BMS main point of contact in the relationship with the Union and its representatives in the US, as well as responsible for supervising the Chief Steward as its formal people leader within BMS.

• Provides interpretation of labor contract to managers, employees and HR staff; oversees processes for review and resolution of employee grievances.

• Advises managers and employees on sensitive labor and employee relations matters, including grievance and arbitration procedures, performance issues and disciplinary actions; advises and assists managers in identifying employee relations issues and determining appropriate course of action.

• Provides guidance to management staff by contract interpretation, investigation and advice on a full range of employee relations matters including informal and formal grievances, development of performance management plans, and disciplinary issue.

• Facilitates on-going communication and working relationships with the union representatives.

• Serves as a member of the Employee Relations team to help identify employee relations trends and recommend solutions and partner with all levels of HR management on execution. Partner with HR leaders to drive employee relations while maintaining a neutral position and consistent approach to BMS's policies and procedures.
• Conduct investigations, research policies/practices, create and gather documentation, make recommendations, and implement resolutions when applicable.
• May represent the Company in arbitrations and National Labor Relations Board hearings related to unfair labor practice complaints.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

• May be required to work some off shift hours to support investigations at sites with multi-shift environments.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Human Resources or related field. Relevant experience may substitute for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis.

• 5+ years progressively responsible, professional experience in collective bargaining and labor relations and employee relations activities.

• Candidate must possess strong interpersonal skills in dealing with all levels of management internally and externally.

• Strong communication skills including excellent verbal and written skills.

• Proven ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality, discretion and good judgment.

• Experience must include leading contract administration, grievance processing, performance management and disciplinary activities, conducting investigations, and facilitating on-going communication and working relationships with employee representative organizations and other Company stakeholders.