Manager Labor Relations

JetBlue; New York (NY); On-site; USD 103,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

JetBlue is seeking a Manager, Labor Relations who reports to the Director Labor Relations and leads union-related processes including grievances, mediation/arbitration, and negotiations with leadership, Legal and Crew Relations. The role maintains positive relations with unionized work groups and ensures policy compliance.

The position requires coordinating with operational leaders, acting as first chair in negotiations, mentoring direct reports, and developing LR training.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required or demonstrated capability with relevant experience (4 years minimum)
• Five years of labor relations experience, including drafting/negotiating CBAs
• Three years of leadership experience; ability to present to senior leadership
• Strong data compilation and decision-making skills; effective communication across levels
• Familiarity with Railway-Labor Act and labor relations laws and best practices
• Knowledge of other airlines' labor issues and CBAs; ADR experience preferred

Responsibilities

• Point-person for labor issues related to Flight Ops/Dispatch and CBAs
• Liaise at LR-related meetings and coordinate with Legal, Crew Relations
• Oversee grievance/mediation/arbitration processes and strategy
• Support negotiations as first chair and manage LR projects to resolution
• Provide LR training and assist with policy development
• Counsel operational leaders and mentor LR team members
• Commitment to JetBlue's safety and culture values

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Project management

Negotiation

Data analysis

Influence at all levels

ADR experience

Education

Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field

Bachelor’s degree in legal, labor or HR studies

High School Diploma/GED with 4 years relevant experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Position Summary

The Manager Labor Relations reports to the Director Labor Relations and is responsible for managing labor relations, including the grievance/mediation/arbitration and negotiations processes, with leadership, Legal and Crew Relations for unionized work groups and maintaining our culture and positive relations with those work groups. The Manager is an effective communicator and consensus builder and enjoys interacting with people at different levels within the organization and building and maintaining relationships. The Manager is comfortable working in a non-routine environment. The Manager is a skilled influencer, demonstrates solid time and project management skills, and is a resilient individual whose personal values match JetBlue's values of Safety, Caring, Integrity, Passion and Fun.

• Point-person for all People department related labor issues pertaining to Flight Ops/Dispatch, including administration and implementation of the collective bargaining agreements (CBA)
• Act as People liaison at meetings relating to the grievance/mediation/arbitration/negotiations processes
• Partner with operational leaders of the unionized work groups, Crew Relations, and the Legal departments as needed to help maintain consistency and ensure CBA and legal compliance
• In conjunction with Sr. Analyst LR, oversee the grievance/mediation/arbitration processes and strategy for same
• Support the grievance mediation and collective bargaining negotiations processes to include acting as first chair
• Performs research and analysis and preparation of memoranda related to Labor Relations issues
• Be the subject matter expert on top pilot/dispatcher concerns and track and drive progress towards resolution by actively managing projects and holding stakeholders accountable
• Provide recommendations to leadership to drive change regarding variables that may influence our Direct Relationship with other workgroups including reviewing and maintaining policies
• Create and deliver LR training in conjunction with other departments as needed to include investigative training and drafting of discipline
• Counsel operational leaders and drive consensus on matters relating to LR processes
• Is responsible for the oversight, development and growth of their Direct reports as well as Playing a significant role in the development of all other LR team members to support their engagement, growth, and goal achievement
• Other duties as assigned

Manager, Labor Relations

Position Summary

The Manager Labor Relations reports to the Director Labor Relations and is responsible for managing labor relations, including the grievance/mediation/arbitration and negotiations processes, with leadership, Legal and Crew Relations for unionized work groups and maintaining our culture and positive relations with those work groups. The Manager is an effective communicator and consensus builder and enjoys interacting with people at different levels within the organization and building and maintaining relationships. The Manager is comfortable working in a non-routine environment. The Manager is a skilled influencer, demonstrates solid time and project management skills, and is a resilient individual whose personal values match JetBlue's values of Safety, Caring, Integrity, Passion and Fun.

Essential Responsibilities

• Point-person for all People department related labor issues pertaining to Flight Ops/Dispatch, including administration and implementation of the collective bargaining agreements (CBA)
• Act as People liaison at meetings relating to the grievance/mediation/arbitration/negotiations processes
• Partner with operational leaders of the unionized work groups, Crew Relations, and the Legal departments as needed to help maintain consistency and ensure CBA and legal compliance
• In conjunction with Sr. Analyst LR, oversee the grievance/mediation/arbitration processes and strategy for same
• Support the grievance mediation and collective bargaining negotiations processes to include acting as first chair
• Performs research and analysis and preparation of memoranda related to Labor Relations issues
• Be the subject matter expert on top pilot/dispatcher concerns and track and drive progress towards resolution by actively managing projects and holding stakeholders accountable
• Provide recommendations to leadership to drive change regarding variables that may influence our Direct Relationship with other workgroups including reviewing and maintaining policies
• Create and deliver LR training in conjunction with other departments as needed to include investigative training and drafting of discipline
• Counsel operational leaders and drive consensus on matters relating to LR processes
• Is responsible for the oversight, development and growth of their Direct reports as well as Playing a significant role in the development of all other LR team members to support their engagement, growth, and goal achievement
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Experience And Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field; OR demonstrated capability to perform job responsibilities with a High School Diploma/GED and at least four (4) years of previous relevant work experience
• Five (5) years of labor relations experience, including experience in drafting/negotiating collective bargaining agreements
• Three (3) years leadership experience
• Presenting and facilitating in front of senior leadership
• Ability to appropriately compile and utilize data to make decisions
• Ability to communicate and influence at all levels of the organization.
• Familiarity with the Railway-Labor Act and knowledge of labor relations laws and best practices
• Knowledge of other airlines' labor issues and collective bargaining agreements
• Proficient knowledge and use of Microsoft Office Suite products (e.g., Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.)
• Available for overnight travel (30% to 50%)
• Able to work flexible hours
• Must pass a pre-employment drug test
• Must be legally eligible to work in the country in which the position is located
• Authorization to work in the US is required, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship

Preferred Experience And Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in legal, labor or HR studies
• Knowledge of contractual language
• Airline operations experience (scheduling, airport operations, etc.)
• Demonstrating solid project management skills and the ability to effectuate initiatives
• Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) experience, practical or educational
• Making proactive and educated decisions with minimal supervision
• Demonstrating strong communication skills; written and verbal
• Grievance mediation and arbitration experience
• Understanding of the law(s)/precedent that govern labor and collective bargaining agreements
• Organizational knowledge

Crewmember Expectations:

• Regular attendance and punctuality
• Potential need to work flexible hours and be available to respond on short notice
• Able to maintain a professional appearance
• When working or traveling on JetBlue flights, and if time permits, all capable crewmembers are asked to assist with light cleaning of the aircraft
• Must be an appropriate organizational fit for the JetBlue culture, that is, exhibit the JetBlue values of Safety, Caring, Integrity, Passion and Fun
• Must fulfill safety accountabilities as prescribed by JetBlue's Safety Management System
• Promote JetBlue's #1 value of safety as a Safety Ambassador, supporting JetBlue's Safety Management System (SMS) components, Safety Policy and behavioral standards
• Identify safety and/or security concerns, issues, incidents or hazards that should be reported and report them whenever possible and by any means necessary including JetBlue's confidential reporting systems (Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) or Safety Action Report (SAR))
• Responsible for adhering to all applicable laws, regulations (FAA, OSHA, DOT, etc.) and Company policies, procedures and risk controls
• Uphold JetBlue's safety performance metric goals and understand how they relate to their duties and responsibilities
• The use of ChatGPT or any other automated tool during the interview process will disqualify a candidate from being considered for the position

Equipment:

• Computer and other office equipment

Work Environment:

• Traditional Office Environment

Physical Effort:

• Generally not required, or up to 10 pounds occasionally, 0 pounds frequently. (Sedentary)

Compensation:

• The base pay range for this position is between $103,000.00 and $170,000.00 per year. Base pay is one component of JetBlue's total compensation package, which may also include performance bonuses, restricted stock units, as well as access to healthcare benefits, a 401(k) plan and company match, crewmember stock purchase plan, short-term and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, free space available travel on JetBlue, and more.