Specialist, Labour Relations

Loblaw Companies Limited; Edmonton; On-site; CAD 68,000 - 94,000; Full time

Job summary

Loblaw Companies Limited is seeking a Labour Relations Specialist in Edmonton to interpret collective agreements, manage grievances, and support multi-jurisdictional employment law compliance. You will partner with managers, union representatives, and internal stakeholders to drive fair, compliant labour relations practices.

Responsibilities include guiding contract administration, conducting investigations, preparing bargaining materials, and leading complex grievance processes.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in HR, Labour Relations, Law, Business, or related fields.
• 2–3 years of Labour Relations or HR experience, preferably in a unionized environment, with strong knowledge of employment and labour legislation and collective agreement administration.
• Experience managing grievances or investigations.
• Ability to interpret contract language and apply it effectively to workplace situations.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including negotiation and influence.
• Ability to build professional, trust-based relationships with union and management stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Interpret collective agreement language and provide guidance on contract administration and workplace issues.
• Apply multi-jurisdictional labour and employment laws to workplace situations.
• Manage the full lifecycle of routine to moderately complex grievances.
• Prepare grievance responses, conduct fact-finding, and maintain complete case documentation.
• Identify workplace trends and emerging issues using grievance and operational data.
• Prepare arbitration files, including evidence gathering and witness coordination.
• Collaborate with legal counsel and recommend case strategies and settlement options.
• Conduct structured workplace investigations, including interviews and evidence review.
• Lead more complex or sensitive investigations as experience grows.
• Research comparator data and support costing and preparation of bargaining proposals.
• Prepare bargaining documentation, summaries, and background materials.
• Negotiate routine grievance settlements and support negotiations on more complex issues.
• Build trust-based relationships with managers, union representatives, and internal partners.
• Coach leaders on documentation, performance management, and application of collective agreement provisions.
• Deliver training or guidance related to LR practices, legislative changes, or emerging trends.
• Analyze legislative developments and assess operational impacts.
• Support the creation of proactive communications, tools, and training materials.

Skills

Grievance handling

Investigations

Contract interpretation

Bargaining support

Stakeholder collaboration

Legal knowledge

Education

Post-secondary education in HR/IR/Law

Job description

Come make your difference in communities across Canada, where authenticity, trust and making connections is valued – as we shape the future of Canadian retail, together. Our unique position as one of the country's largest employers, coupled with our commitment to positively impact the lives of all Canadians, provides our colleagues a range of opportunities and experiences to help Canadians Live Life Well®.
At Loblaw Companies Limited, we succeed through collaboration and commitment and set a high bar for ourselves and those around us. Whether you are just starting your career, re-entering the workforce, or looking for a new job, this is where you belong.
Note: While this posting is based out of Edmonton, we may also consider qualified candidates based out of Alberta, British Columbia or Saskatchewan.
The Labour Relations Specialist is responsible for interpreting collective agreements, managing grievances, conducting workplace investigations, and supporting the business in navigating multi-jurisdictional employment laws. This role builds strong partnerships with managers, union representatives, and internal stakeholders to ensure consistent, fair, and compliant labour relations practices. The Specialist also provides analytical insights, supports bargaining preparation, and contributes to proactive LR strategies that enhance workplace relationships and reduce risk.

What You Do

• Interpret collective agreement language and provide guidance on contract administration and workplace issues.
• Apply multi-jurisdictional labour and employment laws to workplace situations.
• Manage the full lifecycle of routine to moderately complex grievances.
• Prepare grievance responses, conduct fact-finding, and maintain complete case documentation.
• Identify workplace trends and emerging issues using grievance and operational data.
• Prepare arbitration files, including evidence gathering and witness coordination.
• Collaborate with legal counsel and recommend case strategies and settlement options.
• Conduct structured workplace investigations, including interviews and evidence review.
• Lead more complex or sensitive investigations as experience grows.
• Research comparator data and support costing and preparation of bargaining proposals.
• Prepare bargaining documentation, summaries, and background materials.
• Negotiate routine grievance settlements and support negotiations on more complex issues.
• Build trust-based relationships with managers, union representatives, and internal partners.
• Coach leaders on documentation, performance management, and application of collective agreement provisions.
• Deliver training or guidance related to LR practices, legislative changes, or emerging trends.
• Analyze legislative developments and assess operational impacts.
• Support the creation of proactive communications, tools, and training materials.
  

What You’ll Need

• Post-secondary education in HR, Labour Relations, Law, Business, or related fields.
• 2–3 years of Labour Relations or HR experience, preferably in a unionized environment, with strong knowledge of employment and labour legislation (e.g. employment standards, human rights legislation, labour codes) and collective agreement administration.
• Experience managing grievances or investigations.
• Ability to interpret contract language and apply it effectively to workplace situations.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including negotiation and influence.
• Ability to build professional, trust-based relationships with union and management stakeholders.
  

Our commitment to Sustainability and Social Impact is an essential part of the way we do business, and we focus our attention on areas where we can have the greatest impact. Our approach to sustainability and social impact is based on three pillars – Environment, Sourcing and Community – and we are constantly looking for ways to demonstrate leadership in these important areas. Our CORE Values – Care, Ownership, Respect and Excellence – guide all our decision-making and come to life through our Blue Culture. We offer our colleagues progressive careers, comprehensive training, flexibility, and other competitive benefits – these are some of the many reasons why we are one of Canada’s Top Employers, Canada’s Best Diversity Employers, Canada’s Greenest Employers & Canada’s Top Employers for Young People.
If you are unsure whether your experience matches every requirement above, we encourage you to apply anyway. We are looking for varied perspectives which include diverse experiences that we can add to our team.
We have a long-standing focus on diversity, equity and inclusion because we know it will make our company a better place to work and shop. We are committed to creating accessible environments for our colleagues, candidates and customers. Requests for accommodation due to a disability (which may be visible or invisible, temporary or permanent) can be made at any stage of application and employment. We encourage candidates to make their accommodation needs known so that we can provide equitable opportunities.
Please Note
Candidates who are 18 years or older are required to complete a criminal background check. Details will be provided through the application process.

Hiring Range / Échelle Salariale à L’embauche

$68,000.00 - $93,500.00 / 68.000,00$ - 93.500,00$ (per year / par an)
A candidate’s experience and knowledge as well as the geographical region in which the position is located may be factored into the pay a candidate receives for this position. This posting is for an existing vacancy. The Company uses artificial intelligence for the purpose of screening, assessing and/or selecting applicants for this position. / L’expérience et les connaissances d’un candidat ainsi que la région géographique dans laquelle le poste est situé peuvent être prises en compte dans la rémunération qu’un candidat reçoit pour ce poste. Cette offre d’emploi concerne un poste vacant existant. L’entreprise utilise l’intelligence artificielle dans le but de filtrer, d’évaluer et/ou de sélectionner les candidats à ce poste.
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