Labour Relations Advisor (Permanent)

Toronto District School Board; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 119,000 - 143,000; Full time

Job summary

The Toronto District School Board is seeking a Labour Relations Advisor to provide senior professional advice on labour relations matters for multiple bargaining units. The role includes administering arbitration procedures, representing the Board at hearings, and advising on settlements.

The position requires a university degree in a related field with substantial labour relations experience, knowledge of labour law, and strong communication and negotiation skills.

Qualifications

• University degree in related field with years of relevant labour relations experience; strong knowledge of employment and labour law.
• Experience as a spokesperson in collective bargaining and in negotiations.
• Strong communication skills to prepare and present Board responses.

Responsibilities

• Administer arbitration procedures and represent the Board at meetings/hearings.
• Participate on management collective bargaining teams and act as spokesperson as required.
• Advise senior staff on interpretation and implementation of arbitration settlements and awards.
• Liaise with internal/external counsel to prepare for hearings and with Employee Relations Officers on issues arising from grievances and arbitrations.
• Provide in-service to stakeholder groups and support staff on issues related to grievances and arbitrations.

Skills

Communication skills

Negotiation

Leadership

Time management

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Education

University degree in Industrial Relations / HR

CHRP / MIR / JD/LLB (assets)

Tools

MS Office suite

HRIS / employee information systems

Job description

Our staff members are the backbone of our system. Becoming a part of the TDSB team means joining a talented community of educators and support staff dedicated to enriching the lives of all students and helping them to achieve success.

The TDSB is one of the largest and most culturally diverse school boards in Canada, with approximately 246,000 students in 584 schools and approximately 40,000 employees. We offer a dynamic, challenging work environment and unmatched career opportunities for our staff.

Please review the information provided and explore the exciting career possibilities the TDSB has to offer as we continue to establish ourselves as the leading school board of the new millennium.

The Toronto District School Board adheres to equitable hiring and employment practices. We strive to meet the accommodation needs of persons with disabilities. Applicants are encouraged to make their needs for accommodation known in advance during the application process.

Job Description

Labour Relations Advisor

1 – Permanent Position

Labour Relations Negotiations Arbitrations

(Non-Union, 12 Month)

$119,072 - $142,870

The Toronto District School Board adheres to equitable hiring, employment and promotion practices.

Overall Purpose

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Labour Relations, the Labour Relations Advisor will provide senior level professional advice and assistance with respect to labour relations matters for nine bargaining units. These include Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF), Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO), Occasional Teachers, Unit A (PSSP), CUPE Units B, C and D, and Skilled Trades Council Unit E. The Labour Relations Advisor will:

• Administer arbitration procedures;
• Represent the Board at meetings/hearings on unresolved/unsettled grievances and arbitrations;
• Participate on management collective bargaining teams;
• Act as table spokesperson as required during Collective Bargaining; and
• Advise senior staff and Employee Services staff on the interpretation and implementation of arbitration settlements and awards.

Summary of Duties

• Work with Principals, Managers and Senior Staff to research the facts regarding grievances;
• Represent the Board at meetings with union officials to resolve arbitrations, before the hearing;
• Draft responses to grievances;
• Represent the Board at mediation and arbitration hearings on unresolved/unsettled grievances;
• Liaise with internal and/or external legal counsel to prepare for hearings;
• Liaise with the Employee Relations Officers in support staff on issues arising from grievances and arbitrations;
• Make decisions on when and whether matters should be settled and on the language which is to be included in any settlement documents including consideration of the full cost to TDSB of any settlement;
• Work with the Co-ordinating Superintendent in preparation for and at Collective Bargaining. This includes research, preparation of Board bargaining proposals, analysis of Union bargaining proposals, etc.;
• Act as spokesperson and/or member of bargaining team(s);
• Provide in-service to stakeholder groups (Superintendents, Principals, Senior Managers and Managers); and
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• University degree in related field (e.g. Industrial Relations, Human Resources) with five years progressively responsible labour relations experience in a complex, unionized environment, or an equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Sound knowledge of employment and labour law;
• Successful labour relations experience including experience as a spokesperson in collective bargaining;
• Demonstrated knowledge of labour relations, (grievance and arbitration process), negotiations and employment legislation (Labour Relations Act, Employment Standards Act, Ontario Human Rights Code, Occupational Health and Safety Act, etc.);
• Highly developed analytical/interpretive and problem solving skills;
• Proven ability to communicate effectively (both orally and in writing) to prepare Board responses on a wide variety of issues and communicate them to a variety of stakeholders (e.g. management, union representatives);
• Strong facilitation, conflict resolution, problem solving, negotiation and presentation skills;
• Strong leadership and team building skills;
• Excellent project management skills and time management skills;
• Proven ability to prepare accurate reports and summaries; and
• Computer skills, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, e-mail, internet, and employee information systems.

Special Requirements

• Travel across TDSB to various meetings.
• Must be available to work evenings and weekends sometimes with no notice. Periodically this may be for extended periods including weekends.

Additional Information

Assets:

• CHRP designation, Master of Industrial Relations (MIR) or JD/LLB

Location: 5050 Yonge Street, Wheelchair Accessible

Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. Applications will not be acknowledged in writing.

The Toronto District School Board is deeply committed to promoting Truth, Reconciliation and the rights of Indigenous peoples, Human Rights, Equity and Anti-Racism, and the elimination of Oppressive Practices, in our schools, our workplace and in the communities we serve. We strongly encourage applications from all individuals including those with varied lived experiences that can contribute to the diversification of the workforce at TDSB.

We strive to meet the accommodation needs of persons with disabilities. Applicants are encouraged to make their needs for accommodation known in advance during the hiring process.

The TDSB follows a hybrid work structure where some employees may be able to work remotely at times, based on operations requirements. Please refer to Policy P103, Flexible Working Arrangements for more information.

TDSB uses artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the recruitment process, including the initial review of applications. These tools operate based on predefined criteria and do not make final hiring decisions.