Labour Relations Officer - Reg FT - USW-025-26

BC Nurses' Union; Burnaby; Hybrid; CAD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Extended health and dental benefits

Municipal Pension Plan

4 weeks vacation

Hybrid work environment

Education and professional development

Job summary

BCNU in British Columbia seeks a Labour Relations Officer to oversee collective agreement interpretation and enforcement across BC with a member-centric approach. You will mentor stewards, coordinate campaigns, and address member concerns.

You will negotiate local terms, present cases at hearings, and support provincial negotiations while traveling across the province. The role combines advocacy, education, and strategic bargaining within a public health care context.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated understanding of a member-centric model and empowering approach with members and stewards.
• 3–5 years as an active steward handling grievances at progressive stages.
• College or university education in Social Sciences, Industrial Relations, or Nursing; BCNU labour relations training preferred.
• Ability to interpret collective agreement language and argue for redress of problems.
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal skills for interaction with diverse stakeholders.
• Willingness to travel province-wide and hold a valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Advise stewards on interpreting the collective agreement, past practice, legislation, union policies and procedures.
• Initiate, present and resolve grievances; present the union's case at arbitration and labour board hearings.
• Negotiate local agreements on matters such as shift schedules, hours and other terms.
• Mentor and develop BCNU stewards and members on campaign and grievance strategies.
• Assist in preparing for provincial collective agreement negotiations.
• Support Organizing department activities as required.
• Provide work direction to administrative staff and ensure efficient resource use.

Skills

Grievances handling

Campaign organization

Steward mentorship

Facilitation

Verbal and written communication

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's or higher in Social Sciences / Industrial Relations / Nursing

Job description

BCNU is a strong, dynamic voice for nurses and nursing in British Columbia, representing more than 50,000 members. It advocates for safe, quality, public health care.

Labour Relations Officer

Position Overview

Responsible for the maintenance, enforcement, and interpretation of collective agreement provisions for assigned bargaining unit(s) located throughout British Columbia; identifying issues of concern to BCNU members. Provides leadership and mentors stewards, sharing the organization of campaigns with stewards and members around workplace and social issues that promote the economic, social welfare and occupational interests of the general membership in accordance with BCNU policies and objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Advise stewards on the interpretation of the collective agreement, past practice, labour legislation, union policies and procedures, and other issues in a labour relations context.
• Initiate, present and resolve issues or grievances.
• Present the union's case at third parties.
• Present cases at arbitration and labour board hearings.
• Negotiate local agreements on matters such as shift schedules and scheduled daily working hours, mergers, and displacements.

Identifies and addresses issues of concern to BCNU members

• Share the organization of campaigns with stewards and members around workplace and social issues that promote the economic, social welfare and occupational interests of the general membership in accordance with BCNU policies and objectives, particularly in relation to collective agreement issues.
• Develop, mentor, and advise BCNU stewards and members on how to address their workplace concerns and determine which mix of campaigns and grievance/arbitration work will best address those issues.
• Participate in the development and delivery of education courses for BCNU members and stewards as required.

Assists the Coordinator in preparing for negotiating the Provincial Collective Agreement

• Assist in conducting ratification votes, strike votes, and certification votes as required.
• Assist in negotiating first contracts and renewal contracts for bargaining units outside the Provincial Collective Agreement.
• Provide support and information for bargaining.

May provide assistance to the Organizing department

• Participate, as required, in the organization and certification of new members and groups.

Provides work direction to assigned administrative staff

• Participate in the efficient and cooperative use of resources and personnel.

Qualifications & Requirements

Performs other related duties as assigned.

• Demonstrated understanding of and ability to utilize and implement the member‑centric model by working in an empowering manner with union members and stewards. Good group facilitation skills including flip‑charting and analyzing discussions and ability to assess and develop campaign plans, ability to motivate members and stewards to take action on union issues. Ability to develop, mentor, and assist stewards in identifying arguments for written presentations to hospital, community and regional boards and other bodies.
• Extensive and progressive experience (3–5 years) as an active steward processing grievances at progressive stages and presenting grievances to management, facilitating group meetings, with demonstrated experience of organizing membership campaigns, and/or public rallies, and/or group grievances and/or media events. External applicants with equivalent experience may be considered.
• College or university education in an approved Social Sciences, Industrial Relations program and/or Nursing or an equivalent combination of education and experience as described below. Completion of BCNU provided labour relations training programs preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret collective agreement language and argue a strong case for the redress of problems. Ability to explain contract issues to members in writing. Good knowledge of nurses’ employment issues and the general environmental conditions of nursing. A thorough understanding of and commitment to trade union philosophy and public health care.
• Demonstrated excellent verbal, written and interpersonal skills required which results in effective communication with Supervisors, Managers, Government and Union Officials, Counsel and Labour Relations personnel. Demonstrated ability to work well with members, elected officers, BCNU management and co‑workers.
• A willingness to travel throughout the province on short notice and a valid driver’s licence.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation and extended health and dental benefits package.
• Municipal Pension Plan.
• 4 weeks vacation entitlement to start.
• Hybrid work environment.
• Education and professional development opportunities.

Please also reach out to us at [e-mail] to let us know of any accommodations you require through our application and selection process.