Senior Advisor, Employee Relations

VIA Rail Canada; Montreal (administrative region); Hybrid; CAD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work options

Job summary

VIA Rail Canada is seeking a Senior Advisor, Employee Relations to lead and advance its labor relations program across unions and management. You will counsel HR partners, design and deliver training, and ensure consistent interpretation of collective agreements and employment law for Canada-wide operations.

You will also help negotiate local agreements, manage complex litigation, and support policies on grievances, attendance, accommodation, harassment, and discipline, while building strong

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Relations or Human Resources Management or extensive practical experience.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience.
• Experience in collective bargaining as asset.

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary expert counsel support for HRBPs and managers on employee relations matters for both unionized and management employees.
• Develop and deliver training for HRBPs and managers on labour relations topics and management best practices.
• Develop processes, procedures and job aids to assist HRBPs and managers in employee relations matters; act as Spokesperson for collective bargaining and responsible for changes or amendments to the collective agreements.
• Ensure the consistent interpretation and application of collective agreements as well as current employment law issues for management.
• Assist in the negotiation and implementation of local agreements.
• Manage litigation files with the various authorities concerning executives and professionals.
• Support all policies and procedures including grievance responses, attendance management, duty to accommodate, harassment and workplace violence, disciplinary investigations and assessment of discipline.
• Build and support the relationship with our various Unions with aim of creating more collaborative labour relations.
• Proactively support resolution of disputes through meetings with Union Representatives, mediation/arbitration and preparation of files for arbitration.
• Acts as the Employee Relations Representative for corporate projects and change management initiatives.
• Monitors developments in employee relations and effectively communicates information to HRBPs and manages as needed to support and protect the organization.

Skills

Strategic partnership

Interpersonal skills

Coaching skills

Negotiation skills

Leadership

Relationship-building

Persuasion skills

Change management

Project management

English-French communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Industrial Relations or HR Management

Job description

Reference Number : 1457

Status : Permanent - Full-time

Annual Salary / Hourly Rate : $99,845 - $124,806

Number of positions to be filled : 1

Application Deadline : 10/16/2026

Did you know that VIA Rail is carrying out ambitious projects to modernize its services and infrastructure? From our new ultramodern train fleet to ongoing improvement of our infrastructure, we're building the future of transportation in Canada. Working for VIA Rail is being a part of a collective effort in sustainable mobility.

Why VIA Rail?

We're proud to offer a workplace that reflects the diversity and inclusivity of Canadian society. At VIA Rail, you'll enjoy:

• Competitive Compensation & Benefits
• Excellent Pension Plan & Bonus Program
• Generous Vacation, Parental, and Personal Leave
• Hybrid Work Options (role-dependent)
• Unlimited Access to Telemedicine Services
• Comprehensive Health & Wellness Coverage
• Train Travel Privileges for You and Your Family
• Career Development & Training Opportunities
• Commitment to Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
• Participation in Social Initiatives & Employee Resource Groups

POSITION

The Senior Advisor, Employee Relations supports and progresses labour relations within the organization. As a labour expert, you will assist the Human Resources team and their client groups on a wide variety of labour relations issues. You will share your experience and knowledge with the intention of growing our leaders' day-to-day management and labour relations capabilities. You will create and support strong relationships with our Unions and act as VIA Rail's spokesperson during Collective Agreement negotiations.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Act as the primary expert counsel support for Human Resource Business Partners (HRBPs) and our managers on all matters relating to employee relations matters for both unionized and management employees.
• Develop and deliver training for HRBPs and managers on various labour relations topics and management best practices with aim of improving their capabilities.
• Develop processes, procedures and job aids to assist HRBPs and managers in employee relations matters.
  Act as Spokesperson for collective bargaining and responsible for changes or amendments to the collective agreements.
• Ensure the consistent interpretation and application of collective agreements as well as current employment law issues for management.
• Assist in the negotiation and implementation of local agreements.
• Manage litigation files with the various authorities concerning executives and professionals.
• Support all policies and procedures including grievance responses, attendance management, duty to accommodate, harassment and workplace violence, disciplinary investigations and assessment of discipline.
• Build and support the relationship with our various Unions with aim of creating more collaborative labour relations.
• Proactively support resolution of disputes through meetings with Union Representatives, mediation/arbitration and preparation of files for arbitration.
• Acts as the Employee Relations Representative for corporate projects and change management initiatives.
• Monitors developments in employee relations and effectively communicates information to HRBP s and manages as needed to support and protect the organization.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in Industrial Relations or Human Resources Management or extensive practical experience.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience.
• Experience in collective bargaining as asset.

COMPETENCIES

• Proven ability to act as a strategic partner to meet the Corporation's needs.
• Excellent interpersonal and coaching skills.
• Business acumen and strong ability to manage stress.
• Ability to manage several projects simultaneously.
• Excellent negotiation skills.
• Strong leadership, relationship-building and persuasion skills.
• Ability to adapt to change and to changing priorities.
• Self-reliant professional.
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, in English and French.
• Strong presentation skills and extensive experience in leading meetings and training.

At VIA Rail, we are proud to be an employment-equity employer and we strive to form teams that reflect the diversity of Canadian society. We aim to remove barriers to employment accessibility and aspire to provide an inclusive and equitable work environment where everyone is valued, regardless of their identity or differences, to enable them to reach their full potential.

If you need assistance in making the recruitment process or the position you are applying for more accessible, please let us know. Alternate arrangements may be offered to individuals who request them at any stage of the recruitment process. All information received in relation to arrangements will be kept confidential.

Note that we will only contact those who are selected for an interview.

Join our 3,000 other employees in helping provide Canadians with a safe, accessible, environmentally sustainable way to travel!