Strategic Arbitration & Labor Relations Lead

CSX Corporation; Jacksonville (FL); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

CSX Corporation in Jacksonville, FL seeks a Labor Relations professional to lead CBA interpretation, discipline appeals, and arbitration strategy with CSXT leaders and labor organizations. You will anticipate risk, develop practical solutions, and provide strategic recommendations while safeguarding confidential information.

Responsibilities include on-property handling of discipline appeals, advising management on CBA requirements, and collaborating across Labor Relations, HR, Legal, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• 2+ years of progressively responsible experience in Labor Relations, Human Resources, employment law support, railroad operations, or related field.
• Demonstrated experience analyzing complex issues, preparing formal written positions, and advising leaders or stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead a portfolio of discipline appeals and interpretation grievances scheduled for hearings under Section 3 of the Railway Labor Act (RLA), establishing case strategy, priorities, and deadlines.
• Partner with Labor Relations leaders and designated hearing officers on agreement interpretation, case risk, and arbitration strategy.
• Manage the formal on-property handling of discipline appeals, including timely, accurate, and persuasive written communications between management and labor organizations.
• Advise field management and senior leaders on CBA requirements, discipline processes, attendance matters, risk, and consistent application of policy.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on discipline and attendance provisions, related policies, arbitral precedent, and evolving labor relations practices.
• Support designated departments and long-term initiatives aligned with the strategic agenda, working across Labor Relations, Human Resources, Legal, and Operations to advance business objectives.
• Act as a trusted liaison between Operations management and labor organizations, aligning Labor Relations services with internal client needs and identifying opportunities to add measurable value.
• Build and sustain effective partnerships with management, labor representatives, and employees to resolve disputes fairly, consistently, efficiently, and cost-effectively.
• Investigate claims, evaluate evidence, research arbitral precedent and past practice, assess risk, and prepare detailed, well-reasoned written positions and recommendations.
• Use approved AI-enabled tools to accelerate document review, issue spotting, precedent research, data analysis, drafting, and preparation of case summaries, presentations, and training materials; independently verify outputs and comply with confidentiality, data security, legal, and records-management requirements.
• Monitor case trends, outcomes, and recurring issues; translate findings into actionable insights, preventive strategies, and process improvements for leaders and stakeholders.
• Design and deliver authoritative presentations, guidance, and training on Labor Relations topics for managers, hearing officers, witnesses, and other stakeholders.
• Lead or contribute to special projects and perform other duties as assigned by the manager.

Skills

Advocacy skills

Labor relations

CBA interpretation

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Juris Doctor (JD) preferred

Tools

Microsoft 365

HRIS/LCAT/Oracle familiarity

AI-enabled productivity tools

Job description

CSX Corporation in Jacksonville, FL seeks a Labor Relations professional to lead CBA interpretation, discipline appeals, and arbitration strategy with CSXT leaders and labor organizations. You will anticipate risk, develop practical solutions, and provide strategic recommendations while safeguarding confidential information.

Responsibilities include on-property handling of discipline appeals, advising management on CBA requirements, and collaborating across Labor Relations, HR, Legal, and