Manager Labour Relations

Canadian National Inc.; Edmonton; Hybrid; CAD 110,000 - 144,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Employee share investment program (ESi

Pension

Benefits

Job summary

Canadian National Inc. is seeking a senior Labour Relations professional to lead arbitration case preparation and support across Canada.

You will coordinate with Operations, HR and legal teams to develop effective case strategies and ensure compliance with labour laws. The role requires expertise in grievances, negotiations, and a strong understanding of regulatory frameworks, with travel up to ~15% to CN properties and hearing locations.

Qualifications

• Labour relations experience with arbitration and collective agreement administration.
• Strong research and jurisprudence skills for arbitration/mediation.
• Demonstrated ability to manage case documentation and witnesses.
• Bilingual communication in English and French is essential.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and support arbitration cases with documentation and legal counsel coordination.
• Present grievances during hearings and coordinate with legal teams.
• Research historical arbitration decisions and precedents to strengthen strategy.
• Organize case files, exhibits, and post-hearing documentation.
• Collaborate with business units to defend the company’s position.
• Support policy development and benchmarking in labour relations.

Skills

Bilingual English/French

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Relations/HR/Business Administration

Master's Degree in Industrial Relations/HR/Business Administration

Certified Human Resource Professional (CPHR)

Certified Industrial Relations Counsellor (CRIA)

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Please note that the language you select on this site will be the primary language used for all future communications regarding your application.

Highest Level Division: Labour Relations & Compliance

Posting Start Date: 11/5/26

Posting End Date: 11/19/26

Hiring Salary Range: $110000 - 144000

This range represents the hiring range. Salaries are determined individually depending on skills and experience. You will also be eligible to an annual bonus, employee share investment program (ESIP), Pension, Benefits and other perks.

At CN, we are committed to our pursuit of excellence. We take pride in delivering work of the highest standard, continually innovating to shape the railroad of the future. As responsible railroaders, we make the right decisions every time, putting safety first, acting with unwavering integrity, and holding ourselves accountable for our actions. We believe in succeeding together—by fostering inclusivity and collaboration, we sustainably deliver exceptional results for our customers.

Join us today and get your career moving!

Job Summary

The incumbent is responsible for preparing and participating in arbitration, mediation, and other proceedings such as those before the CIRB and CHRC involving unionized employees in Canada. The role supports case development, coordinates the interpretation and application of collective agreements, and contributes to the effective representation of the organization during hearings. Additionally, the position supports the corporate labour relations strategy by providing guidance on collective agreements and ensuring compliance with applicable labour laws.

Main Responsibilities

Arbitration Case Preparation and Support

• Partner with Operations and Labour Relations teams to compile documentation and formulate arguments for arbitration cases.
• Present grievances during arbitration hearings and coordinate with legal counsel as required.
• Conduct in-depth research on historical arbitration decisions and legal precedents to strengthen case strategy.
• Collect, analyze, and summarize relevant case documents, evidence, and witness statements.
• Prepare comprehensive case files, organize exhibits, and manage post-hearing documentation.
• Collaborate with business units to develop and refine arguments defending the company's position.
• Facilitate pre-arbitration meetings with union representatives to explore resolution opportunities.
• Support leaders in implementing arbitration outcomes and provide post-resolution guidance.
• Maintain accurate and compliant records of arbitration cases, ensuring legal and organizational standards are met.
• Promote cross-functional collaboration and knowledge sharing within Labour Relations teams.
• Track arbitration trends and outcomes to inform future case strategies and training needs.

Corporate Labour Relations Strategy and Execution

• Support strategic labour relations initiatives by contributing to corporate strategies, arbitration execution, and change management efforts.
• Collaborate across departments including HR, leadership, and Learning and Development to align labour relations with business goals and shape risk-reducing training programs.
• Monitor and evaluate program effectiveness to ensure labour relations initiatives are impactful and aligned with organizational needs.
• Contribute to policy development by integrating insights from arbitration outcomes and legal updates.
• Engage in benchmarking and best practice reviews to continuously improve labour relations capabilities.

Working Conditions

The role has standard working conditions in an office environment with a regular workweek from Monday to Friday and is eligible to participate in CN's hybrid work model. The role involves managing priorities and delivering work within established timelines, with support from the team to ensure sustainable and effective workload management. The role requires minimal travel (~15%) to various CN properties or hearing locations.

Experience

Labour RelationsOver 5-7 years of progressive experience in Human Resources, with a strong focus on labour relations and collective agreement administration.Demonstrated expertise in preparing and presenting cases for arbitration and mediation, including comprehensive grievance resolution, legal research, and meticulous case documentation.Proven ability to foster and maintain constructive management-union relationships, adeptly navigating complex union environments and dynamics.Hands-on experience in collective bargaining and negotiations, serving effectively as either a spokesperson or strategic support.Candidates with an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience will be considered.

Education/Certification/Designation

• Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Relations, Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field
• Master's Degree in Industrial Relations, Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field*
• Certified Human Resource Professional (CPHR)*
• Certified Industrial Relations Counsellor (CRIA)*
• Candidates with equivalent practical experience, education, or training will be considered.

• Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Relations, Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field
• Master's Degree in Industrial Relations, Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field*
• Certified Human Resource Professional (CPHR)*
• Certified Industrial Relations Counsellor (CRIA)*
• Candidates with equivalent practical experience, education, or training will be considered.

Any requirement marked with (*) will be considered an asset (not mandatory).

• We Care About Each Other
• We Strive for Excellence
• We Succeed Together
• Influence
• Build trust
• Interpersonal flexibility

Technical Skills/Knowledge

• Fluently bilingual both written and verbal (English, French)
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Solid understanding of Canadian and U.S. labour laws and regulations.
• Skilled in negotiation techniques and jurisprudence research to support informed decision-making.
• Demonstrated experience in mediation and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) strategies.
• Proven ability to analyze complex information, ask insightful questions, and develop strategic recommendations with a long-term perspective.

Additional Information (If Any)

About CN

CN is a premium railroad that sustainably generates value for our customers, shareholders, employees, and stakeholders with an unwavering commitment to safety and service. Essential to the economy, to the customers, and to the communities it serves, CN safely transports more than 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products, and finished goods throughout North America every year. CN's network connects Canada’s Eastern and Western coasts with the U.S. South through an 18,800-mile rail network. CN and its affiliates have been contributing to community prosperity and sustainable trade since 1919. CN powers the North American economy and is committed to programs supporting social responsibility and environmental stewardship.

At CN, we are dedicated to building North America's safest, most inclusive and sustainable railroad, which includes reflecting the communities in which we operate. Research shows that candidates often don't apply unless they feel they fit the job posting at 100%. To all potential applicants, even if you don't meet every job requirement listed in a posting, we still encourage you to apply. If you require an accommodation for the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials, accessible meeting rooms or other accommodations), please get in touch with our team at [e-mail].

As an equal opportunity employer, qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law.

Please monitor your email on a regular basis as communication to applicants is done via email