Employee & Labour Relations Lead

Metrolinx; Toronto; On-site; CAD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Metrolinx is seeking an Employee & Labour Relations Lead to provide project leadership for two collective agreements and to participate in negotiations. The role covers grievance management from receipt to resolution, investigations, and representation at hearings before arbiters and tribunals.

You will support management positions, develop proposals, and coordinate evidence while building strong union–management relationships and ensuring compliance with Ontario labour and human rights laws.

Qualifications

• Degree in Human Resources Management or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Experience in labour and employee relations, preferably in the public sector, with grievances management and negotiation exposure.
• Experience managing hearings and collective agreement negotiations.
• Knowledge of Ontario labour and human rights legislation and related acts.
• Strong investigation, analysis, and reporting capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide interpretations and advice on collective agreements and support management on labour relations matters.
• Manage grievances from intake to resolution, including investigations and mediation support.
• Represent the Corporation at grievance hearings and mediations; coordinate evidence for arbitrators and tribunals.
• Investigate violations under applicable labour, health and safety, and human rights laws.
• Contribute to negotiation strategy development and draft contract provisions.
• Foster constructive union–management relationships and participate in committees as the Corporation's representative.
• Provide strategic labour advice on operational issues and business transformations.
• Collect, analyze, and report on activities within accountability areas and uphold corporate policies.

Skills

Labour relations

Grievance management

Collective agreement interpretation

Negotiation

Investigation skills

Oral communication

Written communication

Project management

MS Office

Public sector knowledge

Education

Degree in Human Resources Management

CHRP certification asset

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Metrolinx is connecting communities across the Greater Golden Horseshoe. Metrolinx operates GO Transit and UP Express, as well as the PRESTO fare payment system. We are also building new and improved rapid transit, including GO Expansion, Light Rail Transit routes, and major expansions to Toronto’s subway system, to get people where they need to go, better, faster and easier. Metrolinx is an agency of the Government of Ontario.

At Metrolinx, equity, diversity and inclusion are essential to living our values of serving with passion, thinking forward and playing as a team.

Our Employee & Labour Relations Office is looking for an Employee & Labour Relations Lead. The individual will provide project leadership/management for the administration of two current collective agreements with Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1587 and International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local 235; participate in negotiations, and provide corporate labour and employee relations guidance, direction, and consultative services.

They will manage the full process from receipt to resolution for a portfolio of grievances, including leading investigations where required, developing management's position in response to grievances, attending and representing Corporation at grievance meetings and mediation, and leading efforts to achieve satisfactory resolutions. The individual is also required to attend hearings and supports corporate position before arbitrators, OLRB and Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, preparing case files, providing direction to internal and external legal counsel, and supporting coordination of evidence.

What will I be doing?

• Providing collective agreement interpretations and advice regarding the application of collective agreements as required for Corporation. Attending and advising on labour relations at management committees, working groups, task forces and corporate initiatives.
• Managing the full process from receipt to resolution for a portfolio of grievances, including leading investigations where required, developing management's position in response to grievances, attending and representing Corporation at grievance meetings and mediation, and leading efforts to achieve satisfactory resolutions.
• Attending at hearings and supporting corporate position before arbitrators and Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, preparing case files, providing direction to internal and external legal counsel, and supporting coordination of evidence, presentations and any negotiated resolutions.
• Investigating allegations of violations of Occupational Health and Safety Act, Employment Standards Act, Labour Relations Act and Crown Employees Collective Bargaining Act.
• Managing the process for collective agreement negotiations including developing proposals, contributing to development of negotiation strategies, overseeing the research and analysis of data pertinent to contract issues, preparing and drafting proposed contract provisions, participating in negotiation meetings.
• Proactively building and maintaining effective union - management relationships, including attendance and participation in Union / Management Committee meetings as the Corporation's representative.
• Providing strategic labour advice, consultation and partnership on operational issues, business transformations and projects.
• Collecting, analysing, conducting data analytics, and reporting on activities within areas of accountability and maintenance of the corporate policies arising from the Public Service of Ontario Act.

What Skills and Qualifications Do I Need?

• Completion of a degree in Human Resources Management or related field – or a combination of education, training and experience deemed equivalent.
• Demonstrated experience in labour and employee relations, with experience in the public sector preferred, including grievance management, collective agreement interpretation and advice, management of hearings and collective agreement negotiation processes, and minimum three years’ experience working with workplace harassment legislation and policies, including investigations and reporting.
• Human Resources Professional (CHRP) certification considered an asset.
• Thorough knowledge of labour relations and human rights legislation (e.g., Ontario Labour Relations Act, Employment Standards Act, Crown Employees Collective Bargaining Act, workplace harassment provisions of Occupational Health and Safety Act, and Human Rights Code). Research and analytical skills to analyze and summarize grievances, arbitrations, and harassment statistics and related reports.
• Investigation skills to lead/manage the investigation of grievances and complaints of workplace harassment and discrimination.
• Highly effective problem solving, negotiation and mediation skills.
• Oral communication, presentation and consultation skills to provide expertise/advice to colleagues and management, and to provide direction to legal counsel.
• Superior written communication skills to provide internal and external reports, briefings and memoranda.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain productive working relationships with colleagues, management teams and union officials.
• Ability to manage projects within areas of accountability.
• Proficiency in MS Office software applications.

We encourage applications from members of equity-deserving communities, including those who identify as Indigenous, Black, racialized, women, people with disabilities, and people with diverse gender identities, expressions and sexual orientations.

Accommodation:

Metrolinx is an equal opportunity employer and committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. We are also committed to offering reasonable accommodation to job applicants in accordance with applicable legislation. If you require assistance or an accommodation at any point during the hiring process, please contact us at: 416-202-5601 or email [e-mail].

Application Process:

All applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada. Metrolinx will be using email to communicate with you for all job competitions. It is your responsibility to include an updated email address that is checked daily and accepts emails from unknown users. As we send time-sensitive correspondence, we recommend that you check your email regularly. If no response is received, we will assume you are no longer interested in pursuing the opportunity. Please be advised that a Criminal Record Check may be required of the successful candidate.

Should it be determined that any background information provided is misleading, inaccurate or incorrect, Metrolinx reserves the right to discontinue with the consideration of your application.

WE ARE AN EQUITABLE AND INCLUSIVE EMPLOYER.