Director, Labor Relations

Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 164,000; Full time

Job summary

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) seeks a Director of Labor Relations to guide contract interpretation, administer the labor agreement, and lead union negotiations. You will advise management on disciplinary actions, grievances and wage issues while ensuring policy compliance and safety program alignment.

Responsibilities include overseeing staff, preparing arbitration materials, and delivering training on labor relations trends in a unionized environment.

Qualifications

• Excellent communications (written/verbal) skills.
• Strong problem-solving, judgment and decision-making abilities.
• Sound interpersonal and customer service skills.
• In-depth knowledge of labor relations, negotiation strategies and wage classifications.
• Human Resources certification (PHR/SHRM) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Administers the labor agreement by guiding and interpreting it for managers in disputes, MOUs, grievances and employee actions.
• Oversees issues from represented employees and administers METRO policies and guidelines.
• Updates union employee work rules as needed.
• Leads labor agreement negotiations and serves as principal spokesperson for METRO.
• Represents METRO in disciplinary actions, promotions, transfers and grievance/arbitration hearings.
• Manages personnel admin functions for direct report staff to ensure staffing and productivity.
• Develops training for managers on labor issues, contract interpretation and leave policies.
• Prepares arbitration hearings, lawsuits, and bargaining unit negotiations; oversees reports.
• Conducts wage/benefits surveys and participates in new hire orientation.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Labor Relations or related field

Job description

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Directs the Labor Relations function and staff, which includes negotiation, implementation and administration of the bargaining unit labor agreement, including interpretation and intent of the Labor Agreement terms. Performs duties in a safe, efficient manner and in compliance with all applicable rules and safety procedures.

Responsibilities and Specific Duties

• Administers the labor agreement by providing guidance, direction, application and interpretation to managerial and supervisory employees in contract disputes, Memorandum of Understandings (MOU’s), grievances, and all employee actions affecting or affected by the labor agreement.
• Guides and monitors issues from represented employees and administers METRO's policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Reviews and updates the union employee work rules as needed.
• Plans and advises METRO management regarding labor agreement negotiations. Acts as the principal spokesperson of METRO negotiations teams in all union labor agreement negotiations.
• Acts as principal METRO representative in contact with the Union on all matters pertaining to disciplinary actions, promotions, demotions, transfers, separations, layoffs, wage adjustments, and grievance/arbitration hearings.
• Performs personnel administrative functions of direct report staff (e.g. training, supervising, work assignments, timesheets, performance evaluations, etc.) for the purpose of maintaining necessary staffing, enhancing productivity of staff and ensuring necessary department outcomes are achieved.
• Assists managers in counseling and disciplining represented employees.
• Develops and implements training to managers on labor issues and trends, including administration and facilitation of the labor agreement, disciplinary and grievance processes, contract interpretation, leave polices, etc.
• Assists in preparation of arbitration hearings, lawsuits, and bargaining unit labor agreement negotiations.
• Responsible for the oversight and preparation of grievance reports, disciplinary action reports, Labor Relations weekly reports, and other SAP reports as needed or requested for special projects.
• Conducts surveys of other transit properties on wages, benefits, and special issues for Union as needed.
• Participates in new hire orientation.
• Provides excellent customer service to METRO internal and external customers.
• Applies SMS (Safety Management System) methods and principles in daily routine and supports all aspects of the agency’s Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP).
• Promotes safety awareness and follows safety procedures to reduce or eliminate accidents.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Pay Range: $120,000 - $163,500

Education Requirement

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Labor Relations or related field required.

Years & Experience Required

Minimum of eight (8) years’ experience in Human Resources environment with emphasis in labor relations, including a minimum of five (5) years management experience, preferably in a unionized environment.

Knowledge & Skills Required

Excellent communications (written/verbal) skills. Strong problem-solving abilities, judgment and decision-making skills. Strong interpersonal and excellent customer service skills. In-depth knowledge of policies and practices in Labor Relations, negotiation strategies, job bid regulations, classifications and policies concerning wages. Human Resources certification, (i.e. PHR, SPHR, SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP) is preferred.

Additional Information

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas has a zero tolerance drug and alcohol policy for all employees. All internal and external applicants will be required to undergo drug testing before employment and will be subject to further drug and/or alcohol testing throughout their employment.

Further, employees who perform safety-sensitive functions will submit to drug and/or alcohol testing in accordance to the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regulatory requirements.

We provide equal opportunity to all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, veteran status, genetic information or disability.