Labour Relations Specialist

Vale Base Metals; San Juan de Terranova; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Vale Base Metals is seeking a Labour Relations Specialist for their People and Community team in St. John’s, NL. This position involves managing labour relations activities, ensuring compliance with laws, and fostering relationships with union representatives, all within a company dedicated to sustainable development in the mining industry.

Benefits

Competitive compensation including annual incentive plan

Defined Contribution Pension package

Comprehensive benefits package

Leave for all of life’s reasons

Work culture dedicated to safety, diversity & inclusion

Employee Family Assistance Program

Online training and career development opportunities

Transportation service from St. John’s to Long Harbour

Qualifications

• 8 years’ experience in labour relations in an industrial unionized environment.
• Expertise in Canada Labour Code and relevant NL Labour Standards.

Responsibilities

• Manage labour relations activities including collective bargaining and dispute resolution.
• Ensure compliance with labour laws and company policies.
• Build and maintain relationships with union representatives.

Skills

Strong background in labour relations

Excellent communication skills

Ability to build effective relationships

Education

Undergraduate Degree in Business (Human Resources, Labour Relations)

Job description

Ready to build a rewarding career in an industry that is growing?

Who We Are

We are a global mining company dedicated to safely delivering nickel, copper, cobalt, and platinum group metals essential for the world’s energy transition.

Our mission is to improve lives and shape a better future together.

From utensils to cellphones to satellites, our operations simplify daily life and enhance connectivity. Our metals are integral to life-saving medical equipment and the electric vehicles driving the fight against climate change – our work truly matters.

Join our diverse team of 15,000 talented individuals committed to transforming critical minerals into prosperity and sustainable development in countries like Canada, Brazil, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, and Japan. We invite you to use your skills with us and contribute to something meaningful and enduring.

The Opportunity

We are currently seeking a Labour Relations Specialist to join our People and Community team in St. John’s, NL.

This is a permanent position, working a Monday to Friday schedule based in the St. John’s office, with frequent travel to the Long Harbour Operations site and the Voisey’s Bay Mine Site.

As a Labour Relations Specialist, you will act as the primary point of contact for all labour relations matters within Vale Newfoundland and Labrador (VNL), while providing expert advice and support to management on labour relations strategies and best practices. You will develop and maintain a thorough understanding of the company's operations, culture, and strategic objectives to effectively align labour relations activities with business goals. Your experience and skills will allow you to play a crucial role in fostering a positive and productive work environment within VNL.

Additionally, in this position you will:

• Be responsible for managing labour relations activities, including collective bargaining, dispute resolution, and ensuring compliance with labour laws and company policies.
• Dispute Resolution: Manage and resolve labour disputes, grievances, and conflicts in a timely and effective manner, utilizing mediation and arbitration techniques as necessary.
• Compliance: Ensure compliance with all relevant labour laws, regulations, and company policies. Provide guidance and support to management and employees on labour relations issues.
• Relationship Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with union representatives, employees, and management to foster a collaborative and positive work environment.
• Policy Development: Assist in the development and implementation of labour relations policies and procedures that support the company's goals and objectives.
• Collective Bargaining: Participate in collective bargaining negotiations, ensuring that agreements are fair, compliant with legal standards, and aligned with the company's strategic objectives.
• Training and Education: Provide training and education to management and employees on labour relations topics, including collective bargaining, dispute resolution, and compliance with labour laws.
  
  

About You

Education:

• Undergraduate Degree in Business (Human Resources, Labour Relations) or a related discipline.
  
  

Experience:

• A minimum of 8 years’ experience in labour relations within an industrial unionized environment.
  
  

Skills:

• Strong background in labour relations and working knowledge of the Canada Labour Code and relevant NL Labour Standards.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with employees, union representatives, and management.
  
  

What We Offer You

• Competitive compensation including a variable annual incentive plan
• Participation in a competitive Defined Contribution Pension package
• Comprehensive benefits package (company paid core coverage, health and dental coverage, flex accounts, disability plans and optional insurances)
• Leave for all of life’s reasons (vacation, personal, sick, parental)
• Work culture dedicated to safety, diversity & inclusion, and career growth
• Employee Family Assistance Program
• Virtual Healthcare online
• Online training and career development opportunities
• A Bus Service departing from the St. John’s vicinity that travels to the Long Harbour Operations site.
  
  

Why Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada's easternmost province, is known for its rugged coastline, rich cultural heritage, and significant natural resources. The province's economy is bolstered by a robust mining sector, where our operations play a crucial role. At Long Harbour, we operate a state-of-the-art processing plant, which refines nickel concentrate from the Voisey's Bay mine into finished nickel, copper, and cobalt products. This plant is a cornerstone of our commitment to value-added processing in Canada. Meanwhile, the Voisey's Bay mine, located in Labrador, is one of the world's most substantial nickel deposits. It provides high-quality nickel, copper, and cobalt, essential for the 21 st century economy.

Include to Transform

At Vale Base Metals, we are committed to ensuring an inclusive work environment where people feel comfortable to be themselves. Vale encourages everyone to express their ideas and opinions and values the plurality of individual profiles. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard, all cultures respected and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome – they are critical to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, or any other personal consideration that makes us different.

Vale is an equal opportunity employer seeking to increase diversity across our operations and improve equal opportunity at Vale and in the mining industry.

Vale recognizes the Impacts and Benefits Agreements with the Innu Nation and the Nunatsiavut Government in which Innu and Inuit workers have first preference for employment at the Voisey’s Bay Mine Site. This is guided by an adjacency principle that first gives preference to those who live on the coast of Labrador, followed by those residing in the rest of Labrador, those residing on the island of the province, followed by the rest of Canada.

Next, priority will be given to Newfoundland and Labrador residents. We also welcome those who are willing to relocate back home and those looking to make NL their permanent home.

Accommodation is available throughout our recruitment process for applicants with disabilities.

Innu Nation members and Nunatsiavut beneficiaries can submit their application to their Vale Aboriginal Employment Coordinator.

Pay Grade: F4T

Apply by: Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025

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