Labor Relations Specialist

Cayuga Medical Center; Town of Ithaca (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Arnot Health in Ithaca, NY, seeks a Labor Relations Specialist to manage day-to-day labor relations, support union activity, and ensure compliance with CBAs and relevant laws. You will work under the HR Site Executive to promote fair, consistent practices and reduce risk across campuses.

The role involves preparing negotiation materials, coaching leaders on contract interpretation, tracking grievances, and supporting investigations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, business, labor relations, or related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in HR, labor relations, or employee relations.
• Experience in a unionized or highly regulated environment.
• Strong knowledge of labor regulations and workforce practices.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary resource for labor relations issues and advise leaders on contract interpretation.
• Support lawful employer practices during union campaigns, organizing activity, and elections.
• Prepare materials and analysis for collective bargaining and contract administration.
• Maintain contract summaries and negotiation history.
• Track grievances and support investigations related to workplace issues.
• Coach leaders on labor relations fundamentals and dispute resolution.
• Monitor compliance with federal and state labor laws and identify risks.
• Maintain labor relations data and dashboards for decision-making.

Skills

Labor relations knowledge

Union activity experience

Regulatory compliance focus

Communication and advisory skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR, business, labor relations, or related field

Job description

About Arnot HealthArnot Health offers patient-centered, comprehensive health services to the Southern Tier of New York and Northern Tier of Pennsylvania. Campuses include Arnot Ogden Medical Center and St. Joseph's Hospital in Elmira; Ira Davenport Memorial Hospital in Bath, NY; and over 40 medical offices in the Southern Tier. Arnot Health is currently affiliated with more than 300 physicians from 50+ specialties.Arnot Health is a member of Centralus Health, a community-based integrated delivery system. Our mission is to deliver high-quality care, empower our teams to succeed, and improve the wellbeing of the communities we serve.Our commitment to quality personalized care begins with our exceptional team—over 6500 employees strong. At Arnot Health, you will work in a collaborative environment that values excellence, integrity, compassion and stewardship. Together, we create an environment where empathy, honesty and a dedication to quality thrive, empowering us to make a positive impact on the lives we touch.We offer competitive wages, comprehensive benefits, and professional development opportunities to help our employees grow and thrive. Whether you are just starting your career or taking the next step in healthcare, we invite you to join us in shaping the future of care in our communities.Learn more at www.arnothealth.org .Job SummaryThe Labor Relations Specialist supports Arnot Health and Centralus Health by managing day‑to‑day labor relations activities, promoting positive labor‑management partnerships, and ensuring compliance with applicable labor laws and collective bargaining agreements (CBAs). This role provides operational support during union activity, assists in collective bargaining preparation, and serves as a resource for leaders, HR partners, and employees on labor‑related matters.Working under the direction of the HR Site Executive, the Labor Relations Specialist helps ensure consistency, fairness, and legal alignment in labor relations practices across the organization. This position plays a key role in fostering constructive employee relations, mitigating risk, and supporting a stable, engaged, and productive workforce environment.Job FunctionsLabor Relations & Union Activity Support (*)Act as a primary resource for labor relations issues, providing guidance to leaders and HR partners on interpretation and application of collective bargaining agreements.Support lawful and consistent employer practices during union campaigns, organizing activity, and elections.Assist in preparing materials, documentation, and analysis for labor negotiations and contract administration.Collective Bargaining Preparation & Administration (*)Conduct research, data gathering, and proposal development to support collective bargaining strategy.Maintain contract summaries, negotiation history, and labor documentation.Support implementation of newly negotiated agreements, including leader training and communication.Grievance & Investigation Support (*)Track, organize, and help respond to grievances, information requests, and labor‑related disputes.Support investigations and fact‑finding processes related to workplace issues involving union employees.Assist in preparing summaries, timelines, and recommended next steps for HR and legal review.Leader Coaching & Contract Interpretation (*)Provide leaders with practical guidance on applying contract language, labor regulations, and workplace policies.Promote consistent and lawful communication practices related to labor activity.Assist with training leaders on labor relations fundamentals, dispute resolution, and performance management in a union environment.Workforce Relations & Compliance Support (*)Help monitor compliance with federal and state labor laws, including the NLRA, FLSA, and other employment regulations.Support proactive identification of employee‑relations trends and labor‑related risks.Partner with HR team members to support fair, timely, and compliant resolution of workforce matters.Data Tracking, Reporting & Analytics (*)Maintain labor relations data, dashboards, and documentation for system leadership.Track grievance trends, arbitration activity, attendance issues, and other labor‑related indicators.Prepare routine and ad‑hoc reports to support decision‑making and labor strategy.Culture, Engagement & Partnership Building (*)Support initiatives that promote positive employee engagement, trust, and constructive labor‑management relationships.Foster professional, respectful, and collaborative interactions with union representatives.Assist HR and leadership in maintaining a workplace culture consistent with Centralus Health’s values.Important Note: (*) indicates an essential function of the job as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Essential functions are the core duties that are fundamental to the position and must be performed, with or without reasonable accommodation. (Do not erase: Keep this disclaimer on all job descriptions.)Success FactorsYou build strong, professional relationships with leaders, employees, and union representatives.You provide reliable, accurate guidance on labor matters and contract interpretation.You help resolve labor issues fairly, consistently, and in alignment with organizational values and legal requirements.You prepare leaders to confidently and lawfully navigate union interactions.You support high‑quality documentation, data accuracy, and proactive problem‑solving in labor‑related matters.Education / Experience QualificationsRequired:Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business, labor relations, or related field.3–5 years of experience in HR, labor relations, or employee relations.Experience working in a unionized or highly regulated environment.Strong knowledge of labor regulations and workforce practices.Preferred:· Professional certification such as SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP or HRCI PHR/SPHR.Compensation and Pay:$65,000 to $80,000 Annual SalaryPhysical Requirements· Must be able to remain in a stationary position (e.g., seated or standing) for extended periods to perform office and meeting duties, with or without reasonable accommodation.· Ability to move about the campus and attend meetings in different locations as required.· Occasional movement of materials or office supplies up to 20–25 pounds.· Ability to operate a computer and other standard office equipment for extended periods.· Must be able to communicate effectively in person, virtually, and in writing.