Lead Labor Relations Specialist (Advocacy)

Metra Commuter Rail; Chicago (IL); Sur place; USD 103 000 - 155 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Metra Commuter Rail in Chicago seeks a Deputy Executive Director (Administration) to lead labor relations, policies, and administrative programs under the CEO. You will guide contract negotiations, oversee complex disciplinary processes, and develop data-driven insights for discipline and DEI metrics.

This role requires leadership across departments, expert guidance on CBAs, and strong communication. Occasional travel within the six-county region may be required; relocation not indicated.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Labor Relations, Industrial Relations or related field.
• Seven+ years of labor relations experience including contract negotiations.
• Knowledge of union contracts, disciplinary investigations, drafting and administration.
• Strong verbal and written communication, presentation and negotiation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and maintain confidentiality.

Responsabilités

• Follow labor relations procedures and update documents with changes.
• Lead and support staff on administrative tasks, meetings, and analyses.
• Handle complex disciplinary hearings, investigations and findings reports.
• Collect, analyze and report discipline policy data and trends.
• Act as contact with union and management representatives.
• Provide guidance on interpretation of collective bargaining agreements and policy.
• Develop cooperative relationships with union representatives to resolve issues.
• Serve as SME on labor relations procedures, law, and dispute resolution.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to meet organizational needs.

Connaissances

Negotiation

Communication

Analytical skills

Project management

Formation

Labor Relations

Industrial Relations

Outils

Microsoft 365

Description du poste

Description

The final salary will depend on the candidate's qualifications. Those with 8 years or more of required experience can expect offers up to the midpoint of the salary range. Metra provides full pay ranges so candidates can consider their growth potential.

Salary Range

$103,361.00 - $155,042.00

About Metra

Metra is one of the largest and most complex commuter rail systems in North America, serving Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, Kane, and McHenry Counties. The agency is linking communities in Northeastern Illinois by providing safe, reliable, and efficient commuter service.

Role Overview

The Deputy Executive Director (DED) Administration under the direction of the Executive Director/CEO is responsible for carrying out the policies and programs of Metra. The DED Administration assumes a leadership role in planning, developing, organizing and directing the administrative activities at Metra. The DED Administration is responsible for complex direction for all areas related to administration and its programs acting on behalf of the Executive Director/CEO.

Labor Relations Overview

Labor Relations is charged with the negotiation and administration of 17 collective bargaining agreements between Metra and its employees represented by 14 unions. These responsibilities include representing Metra in arbitration with respect to minor disputes and the ongoing negotiations meant to reach amicable settlements and thus avoid a major dispute as dened by the Railway Labor Act with each of these unions.

Lead Labor Relations Specialist Responsibilities

• Follow labor relations procedures ensuring compliance with applicable laws; and update documents with legislative changes appropriately.
• Collaborate with staff on the development of tactics and strategies that align with department and agency goals.
• Lead and support other Labor Relations staff on administrative tasks, meetings, and analyses.
• Handles the most complex disciplinary hearings including researching issues, conducting investigations, and hearings, writing findings reports and assessing discipline.
• Collect, analyze and report on discipline policy data related to labor and railroad trends including charges, frequency, and initial and actual discipline assessed.
• Manage and update the discipline database, Diversity Equity Inclusion metrics, and ensure all discipline related data is maintained in the systems.
• Act as point of contact with union and/or management representatives.
• Assist with other administrative project as assigned. Provide expert guidance to departments on the proper interpretation of collective bargaining agreements and policy, research and prepare well-written documentation of findings, and defend Metra's position related to questions or claims.
• Develop and maintain cooperative relationships with union representatives that facilitate the effective resolution of issues, sustain a foundation for constructive dialogue, and produce the best possible results for Metra.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.
• Act as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) on Labor Relations procedures, labor law, legislative change, dispute resolution, and other pertinent union issues. Provide advice and guidance on the administration and interpretation of various Collective Bargaining Agreements.
• Handles the most complex grievance and claims handling including researching issues, responding to grievances, and representing Metra in arbitration.
• Provide support to assigned area that may include labor negotiation proceedings; conduct research; compile benchmark information; and review data related to on-property or industry-specific concerns.
• Serve as negotiator in contract negotiation matters. Oversee and conduct research, prepare graphs, charts, tables, and other summary documents detailing the implications of contract proposals.
• Work closely with managers and supervisors in support of addressing claims; answering questions pertaining to agreement provisions; and assisting employees in addressing inquiries, requests and questions.
• Reviews LRS1 and LRS2 grievance responses, draft agreement language, analysis.
• Prepare detailed, complex written responses to grievance appeals from labor organizations. Has authority for dispute resolution.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Labor Relations, Industrial Relations or related field OR in lieu of specified degree must have a combination of experience and education that equals four years in Labor Relations.
• In addition to #1, must have at least seven years of labor relations experience that includes contract negotiations, contract administration, and/or administrative hearings.
• Considerable knowledge of union contract administration and disciplinary investigations.
• Considerable knowledge contract drafting and administration.
• Considerable knowledge of principles and practices of labor negotiation and arbitration.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong presentation and negotiation skills.
• Strong research, analytical, organizational, and critical thinking skills.
• Effective interpersonal skills for dealing constructively in an adversarial environment as well as with all staff levels.
• Proficient in Microsoft 365, with emphasis on Word, Excel, and Outlook. Database skills desirable.
• Ability to develop constructive working relationships with managers and union officials.
• Ability to provide leadership to less-experienced staff.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects in a demanding environment.
• Ability to work with sensitive information while maintaining strict confidentiality.
• Ability to understand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and labor/management agreements of a complex nature.
• Must be able to operate a vehicle.
• Must be willing to travel within and outside of Metra's 6-county region.

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in Labor Relations, Industrial Relations or related field

Metra is a railroad employer subject to the provisions of the Railroad Retirement Tax Act, not the Social Security Administration.

Metra employees in an active review period under the current discipline policy or who have documented attendance or performance issues will not be considered and/or selected for this position.

Some positions require an Enhanced Background Check due to the nature of the role. This may include additional criminal history, employment and education verification, credential validation, and other legally permissible checks. All screenings are conducted in compliance with applicable laws and require candidate authorization.

Please note: Regardless of any state laws that legalize marijuana, Metra prohibits applicants and employees’ use or possession of marijuana (or marijuana paraphernalia), or having detectable amounts of marijuana in their bodies, including synthetic and/or non-synthetic substances such as THC for any reason for preemployment screening purposes, while on duty, subject to duty, on Metra property, or in Metra work equipment and vehicles.

Metra is committed to ensuring that our career website and recruiting process are accessible to all individuals. If you encounter difficulties or limitations in using or accessing our online application, or if you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, participate in interviews, complete any pre-employment testing, or engage in any other aspect of the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to [e-mail].

Metra is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. It is our policy to fill vacant positions with qualified candidates without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, gender identity, disability, or any protected categories, assuming an individual can perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.