Overview
This attorney-level role leads labor strategy and union negotiations across the AMR region. Responsibilities include serving as the primary negotiator for collective bargaining agreements, including first-generation and renewed agreements, and advising on legal issues affecting the organization’s unionized workforce. The role also manages union petitions and supports HR with day-to-day employee lifecycle matters that impact unionized populations.
The position partners with business line leadership and HR Centers of Excellence to help build labor training programs, tools, templates, processes, and reference materials to strengthen labor relations capabilities across the organization.
Reports to: Head of US Labor Law
Region: AMR
Responsibilities
Negotiations & Strategic Counsel
- Prepare for and lead collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations and discussions.
- Provide strategic counsel to senior executives, HR Business Partners, and HR leadership on complex, high-risk labor matters.
- Identify and resolve high-risk, complex union issues through recommended actions and oversight.
- Serve as the point of contact for outside counsel on arbitrations, litigation, and audits; may be required to manage internally.
Legal Advisory to HR
- Advise the HR function on day-to-day labor relations issues, including hearings, grievances, and meetings.
- Provide legal guidance to managers and HR partners on appropriate investigation techniques and related considerations.
- Ensure compliance with CBAs, company policies, and applicable laws across employee lifecycle stages, including onboarding, pay, disciplinary considerations, and termination.
Coaching, Training & Team Leadership
- Collaborate as a coach and provide guidance and support on labor relations matters.
- Conduct training sessions on labor relations and employment law topics, including discipline, policies, mandated work rules, EEO, ADA, FMLA, Title VII, and collective bargaining agreements.
- Collaborate on evaluating and refining internal policies and processes to enhance operational efficiency.
- Assist the Head of US Labor Law in creating, administering, and implementing labor relations strategies, initiatives, and programs as needed.
- Occasional travel may be required.
Requirements
Education & Experience
- Juris Doctor (JD) required, with active bar admission in good standing.
- Bachelor’s degree required; a concentration in Labor Relations, Employee Relations, Human Resource Administration, or a similar field is preferred.
- At least three (3) years of professional experience in labor law and/or labor and employee relations.
- Prior experience leading CBA negotiations is required.
- Prior experience handling union petitions is preferred.
- Prior experience managing transitions involving unionized employees is preferred.
- Previous experience working with an hourly, unionized employee population is required.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Familiarity with labor and employment laws, including the ability to assess evidence and reach fair conclusions consistent with policies, work rules, and applicable laws.
- Strong understanding of collective bargaining concepts and the grievance process.
- Ability to read and apply the terms of a Master Service Agreement.
- Experience developing and leading training programs on labor and/or employment law topics.
- Experience presenting to large, diverse groups on varied and complex labor issues.
- Ability to break down and communicate complex labor issues clearly to different levels of internal and external stakeholders.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively in a diverse environment, handling sensitive situations with diplomacy, tact, and confidentiality.
- Ability to prioritize work and respond to stakeholders in a timely, courteous manner.
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Familiarity with matter management systems, and Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Access.