HR Partner: Labor Relations Expert (Chicago)

WeDriveU; United States; Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

401(k) with company match

Commuter benefits

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

PTO & paid holidays

Pet & Legal Insurance

Career development & internal transfer

Job summary

WeDriveU in Chicago seeks an HR Business Partner to serve as a strategic and hands-on partner for operations in a unionized environment. You will manage employee and labor relations matters, administer CBAs, resolve grievances, and guide leaders on complex workforce issues.

The role requires strong labor relations experience, independence, and the ability to advise at multiple levels in a fast-paced transportation organization.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive Human Resources experience, preferably in HRBP, Employee Relations, or Labor Relations.
• Experience supporting unionized employee populations.
• Hands-on experience administering collective bargaining agreements and managing grievances.
• Experience working directly with union representatives, business agents, and shop stewards.
• Strong experience advising leaders on employee relations, investigations, progressive discipline, performance management, and terminations.
• Strong working knowledge of federal and state employment laws, wage and hour requirements, the National Labor Relations Act, and labor-management practices.
• Ability to independently manage sensitive, complex, and high-volume employee and labor relations matters with sound judgment and discretion.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence, coach, and advise leaders at multiple levels of the organization.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and follow matters through to completion.
• Proficiency with HR systems, Microsoft Excel/Google Sheets, and Google Workspace.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary HR business partner to assigned Chicago operations, providing hands-on employee and labor relations support in a unionized environment.
• Build strong, trusted relationships with operational leaders, employees, shop stewards, union representatives, and business agents.
• Interpret and administer collective bargaining agreements and advise management on consistent application of contract provisions, company policies, established practices, and applicable employment laws.
• Manage the grievance process from initial filing through resolution, including investigating allegations, gathering documentation, preparing management responses, participating in grievance meetings, and supporting arbitration preparation when necessary.
• Advise leaders on employee relations matters including attendance, performance management, progressive discipline, suspensions, terminations, workplace conduct, and other corrective actions, with appropriate consideration of CBA requirements and past practices.
• Conduct effective, thorough, timely, and objective workplace investigations involving employee complaints, policy violations, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, workplace conduct, and other employee relations concerns.
• Partner with Employee & Labor Relations and Legal on escalated grievances, arbitration matters, unfair labor practice issues, bargaining-related matters, and other complex employee relations concerns.
• Coach and advise managers on documentation, performance expectations, corrective action, employee relations practices, and effective labor-management relationships.
• Maintain in-depth knowledge of federal, state, and local employment requirements and provide guidance that reduces risk and supports consistent HR practices.
• Identify employee and labor relations trends and recommend practical solutions to improve engagement, retention, productivity, and operational effectiveness.
• Ensure employee relations and labor matters are documented appropriately and followed through to resolution with clear and timely communication to employees and leaders.
• Partner with leaders on organizational and workforce matters, including staffing challenges, employee engagement, retention, change management, and other business needs.
• Use workforce data and HR metrics to identify trends, support recommendations, and help leaders make informed people decisions.
• Support HR projects, policy implementation, training initiatives, and other People team priorities as needed.
• Additional duties and responsibilities may apply based on business needs.

Skills

Union relations

Grievance handling

Labor relations

HR business partner

Employee relations

Employment law (federal/state)

Communication skills

Data analysis / HR metrics

HR systems (Excel/Google Sheets)

Policy interpretation

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR, Business, or related field

Tools

HRIS/HRMS

Excel

Google Sheets

Google Workspace

Job description

WeDriveU in Chicago seeks an HR Business Partner to serve as a strategic and hands-on partner for operations in a unionized environment. You will manage employee and labor relations matters, administer CBAs, resolve grievances, and guide leaders on complex workforce issues.

The role requires strong labor relations experience, independence, and the ability to advise at multiple levels in a fast-paced transportation organization.