Manager, Labor Relations

Flyavl; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flight privileges

Discount program

Medical plan options

401(k)

Job summary

United Ground Express is seeking a Manager of Labor & Employee Relations to lead the labor relations strategy in a multi-state, unionized environment. You will manage grievances, arbitrations, contract interpretation, and escalate union matters while partnering with HR leadership and Legal to ensure lawful, consistent practices.

The role requires guiding HRBPs, managing investigations, and coaching a team of HR professionals across locations, with a focus on proactive risk mitigation and strong

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in HR, Labor Relations, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 6+ years progressive experience in labor relations, employee relations, HR, or related field.
• 3-5+ years leading, coaching, and developing a team of HR professionals.
• Significant experience in a unionized environment.
• Experience interpreting and administering collective bargaining agreements.
• Experience managing grievances, hearings, and arbitrations.
• Experience conducting or overseeing workplace investigations.
• Strong written, verbal, negotiations, and conflict resolution skills.

Responsibilities

• Labor Relations Leadership: Serve as SME and escalation point for labor relations matters.
• Develop and execute labor relations strategies aligned with unions, policies, and law.
• Partner with HRBPs and leaders to address labor relations risks and trends.
• Build relationships with union representatives as primary contact for escalated matters.
• Provide guidance on collective bargaining agreement interpretation and administration.
• Lead grievances, labor-management meetings, hearings, and arbitrations.
• Coordinate arbitration preparation with Legal and stakeholders.
• Monitor grievance/arbitration activity to identify trends and gaps.
• Coach HRBPs on contract administration and labor practices.
• Ensure consistent labor relations practices across locations.
• Employee Relations: Provide guidance on workplace investigations.
• Ensure investigations are conducted objectively and per process.
• Collaborate with HRBPs, Legal on resolution and risk mitigation.
• Advise on performance management, policy interpretation, and conduct.
• Lead and develop Labor Relations direct reports.
• Set team priorities, workflows, and service standards.
• Maintain escalation, documentation, and case management practices.
• Identify emerging labor risks and mitigation strategies.
• Monitor changes in labor requirements.
• Establish reporting and metrics for labor/employee relations activity.
• Maintain confidentiality and sound judgment.

Skills

Labor relations

Employee relations

HR leadership

Union experience

CBA interpretation

Grievances/arbitrations

Workplace investigations

Negotiation skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR/Labor Relations

Job description

HQC UNITED GROUND EXPRESS - 11555 W TOUHY AVE CHICAGO, IL 60666

Salary Range / Hourly Rate

$95,000 - $105,000

Job Description

Position Summary

The Manager, Labor & Employee Relations, is a key member of the HR leadership team and serves as a subject matter expert and escalation point for labor relations matters across the organization. This role is responsible for leading UGE’s labor relations strategy and ensuring consistent, effective, and legally sound practices across a complex, multi-state, unionized environment.

This role partners closely with HRBPs, HR leadership, Legal, and operational leaders to proactively manage labor relations matters, resolve escalated employee and union issues, and support productive relationships with union representatives. This role will have significant responsibility for managing grievances, hearings, arbitrations, contract interpretation, and other formal labor processes.

How You Will Make an Impact

Labor Relations Leadership

• Serve as a subject matter expert and escalation point for labor relations matters
• Develop and execute labor relations strategies that align with business objectives, collective bargaining agreements, company policies, and applicable employment laws
• Partner closely with HRBPs and operational leaders to proactively identify and address labor relations risks and trends
• Establish strong, professional relationships with union representatives and serve as a key company point of contact for escalated union matters
• Provide guidance on collective bargaining agreement interpretation, application, and administration
• Lead the management of grievances, labor-management meetings, hearings, and arbitrations
• Partner with Legal and other stakeholders on arbitration preparation
• Monitor grievance and arbitration activity to identify trends, recurring issues, contractual gaps and opportunities for proactive intervention
• Provide guidance and coaching to HRBPs and leaders regarding contract administration, progressive discipline, and labor relations practices
• Ensure labor relations practices are applied consistently across locations

Employee Relations

• Provide guidance on workplace investigations
• Ensure investigations are conducted consistently, objectively, and in accordance with established processes
• Partner with HRBPs, Legal, and business leaders on appropriate resolution and risk mitigation
• Provide consultation on performance management, corrective action, policy interpretation, workplace conduct, and other employee relations matters
• Lead, coach, and develop direct reports within the Labor Relations function
• Establish clear expectations, priorities, workflows, and service standards for the team in partnership with HR leadership
• Ensure appropriate escalation, documentation, and case management practices are followed
• Identify emerging labor and employee relations risks and proactively recommend mitigation strategies
• Parter with Legal and HR leadership regarding matters with potential legal, financial, operational, or reputational risk
• Monitor changes in labor requirements
• Establish reporting and metrics to identify trends in grievances, arbitrations, investigations, and other labor/employee relations activity
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when handling sensitive employee and labor matters

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, Business, or related field or equivalent experience
• 6+ years progressive experience in labor relations, employee relations, human resources, or a related field
• 3-5+ years experience leading, coaching, and developing a team of HR professionals
• Significant experience working in a unionized environment
• Experience interpreting and administering collective bargaining agreements
• Experience managing grievances, hearings, arbitrations
• Experience conducting or overseeing workplace investigations
• Strong written, verbal, negotiations, and conflict resolution skills

Preferred:

• Experience participating in collective bargaining negotiations
• Experience in multi-location, multi-state environment
• HR or labor relations certifications
• Experience operating in Railway Labor Act (RLA) unionized environment

Note: For internal UGE candidates (current UGE Employees), please be sure to attach the Internal Candidate Eligibility Form, filled out by your direct supervisor, to your application. The form can be found on the UGE Talent Acquisition SharePoint Page or by clicking here: Internal_Candidate_Eligibility_Form.2025

Total Rewards:

Salary will be competitive and commensurate with experience.

As a UGE employee you’ll receive the following:

• Flight privileges: Our employees and their families can fly anywhere in the world on stand-by across United Airlines’ amazing global network.
• Discount Program: 20% off for flight tickets with United Airlines
• Vacation, Sick Time, and Floating Holidays
• Access to Medical Plan Options including PPO, Dental, Vision, Personal Accident, and Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts, Long Term Disability,
• 401(k)
• Paid Training
• Paid parking or transportation assistance
• Participation in the UGE annual incentive plan

ADA Specifications

• Ability to operate a computer to enter and retrieve data
• Requires ability to sit, stand and walk for extended periods of time
• Ability to communicate and interact with others in the English language, both oral and written
• Ability to pass all pre-screening clearancesapplicable to position qualifications

UGE is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Minorities/Women/Veterans/Disabled/LGBTQ

United Ground Express, as an equal opportunity employer, makes hiring decisions based on business needs and the best-qualified candidates available and does not discriminate in its employment decisions on the basis of any protected category.

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Employer Privacy Policy

United Ground Express, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. Applicants needing assistance with an application should email us at [e-mail] .

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